Agricultural or horticultural insecticide or animal ectoparasite or endoparasite control agent each comprising an imidazopyridazine compound having a substituted cyclopropane-oxadiazole group or a salt thereof as active ingredient, and method for using the insecticide or the control agent

ABSTRACT

In crop production in the fields of agriculture, horticulture and the like, the damage caused by insect pests etc. is still immense, and insect pests resistant to existing insecticides have emerged. The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to develop and provide a novel agricultural or horticultural insecticide. Another object of the present invention is to provide an agent capable of eliminating ectoparasites or endoparasites of animals. These objects are achieved by an imidazopyridazine compound having a substituted cyclopropane-oxadiazole group represented by the general formula (1): 
     [Chem. 1] 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     (wherein R 1  preferably represents an alkyl group, R 2a  and R 2b  each represent a hydrogen atom, and R 3  represents a haloalkyl group) or a salt thereof, an agricultural or horticultural insecticide or an animal ectoparasite or endoparasite control agent each comprising the compound or the salt thereof as an active ingredient, and a method for using the compound or the salt thereof, the insecticide, or the control agent.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an agricultural or horticultural insecticide or an animal ectoparasite or endoparasite control agent each comprising an imidazopyridazine compound having a substituted cyclopropane-oxadiazole group or a salt thereof as an active ingredient, and a method for using the insecticide or the control agent.

BACKGROUND ART

Various compounds have been examined for their potential as agricultural or horticultural insecticides, and among them, certain kinds of imidazopyridazine compounds have been reported to be useful as insecticides (for example, see Patent Literature 1 to 4). The literature, however, does not specifically disclose certain kinds of imidazopyridazine compounds having a substituted cyclopropane-oxadiazole group.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

-   Patent Literature 1: WO 2014/142292 -   Patent Literature 2: WO 2016/104746 -   Patent Literature 3: WO 2017/065183 -   Patent Literature 4: WO 2017/146221

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

In crop production in the fields of agriculture, horticulture and the like, the damage caused by insect pests etc. is still immense. Addressing this issue requires agricultural or horticultural insecticides which are effective in controlling emerged drug-resistant insect pests with limited impact on bioindicators, in saving labor for operation, in securing operator's safety, etc.; and which are also characterized by having less impact on nontarget organisms such as natural predators and useful insects; being active as systemic insecticides; having low toxicity for mammals including humans; having less impact on bioindicators such as fish and birds; having a similar effect across different species; having environmental degradability; and the like. Therefore, the development of novel agricultural or horticultural insecticides having such excellent properties is desired. In addition, the development of novel agents capable of controlling animal ectoparasites and endoparasites is also desired.

Solution to Problem

The present inventors conducted extensive research to solve the above-described problems. As a result, the present inventors found that an imidazopyridazine compound having a substituted cyclopropane-oxadiazole group represented by the general formula (1) or a salt thereof is highly effective in controlling agricultural or horticultural pests. Furthermore, the present inventors also found that the compound or the salt thereof has almost no impact on nontarget organisms such as natural predators and useful insects, that it is a very useful compound with environmental degradability, and that it can control animal ectoparasites and endoparasites. Based on these findings, the present inventors further conducted a great deal of examination and completed the present invention.

That is, the present invention includes the following.

[1] An imidazopyridazine compound having a substituted cyclopropane-oxadiazole group represented by the general formula (1):

[Chem. 1]

(wherein R¹, R^(2a), and R^(2b) may be the same or different and each represent (a1) a hydrogen atom; (a2) a cyano group; (a3) a (C₁-C₆) alkyl group; (a4) a halo (C₁-C₆) alkyl group; or (a5) a phenyl group, except for a case where R¹, R^(2a), and R^(2b) are all hydrogen atoms, and R³ represents (b1) a halo (C₁-C₆) alkyl group; (b2) a halo (C₁-C₆) alkoxy group; (b3) a halo (C₁-C₆) alkylthio group; (b4) a halo (C₁-C₆) alkylsulfinyl group; or (b5) a halo (C₁-C₆) alkylsulfonyl group), or a salt thereof. [2] The imidazopyridazine compound having a substituted cyclopropane-oxadiazole group or the salt thereof according to the above [1], wherein R¹ is (a3) a (C₁-C₆) alkyl group; (a4) a halo (C₁-C₆) alkyl group; or (a5) a phenyl group, R^(2a) and R^(2b) are (a1) hydrogen atoms, and R is (b1) a halo (C₁-C₆) alkyl group. [3] The imidazopyridazine compound having a substituted cyclopropane-oxadiazole group or the salt thereof according to the above [1], wherein R¹ and R^(2a) are (a1) hydrogen atoms, R^(2b) is (a3) a (C₁-C₆) alkyl group, and R³ is (b1) a halo (C₁-C₆) alkyl group. [4] An agricultural or horticultural insecticide comprising the imidazopyridazine compound having a substituted cyclopropane-oxadiazole group or the salt thereof according to any one of the above [1] to [3] as an active ingredient. [5] A method for using an agricultural or horticultural insecticide, comprising treating plants or soil with an effective amount of the imidazopyridazine compound having a substituted cyclopropane-oxadiazole group or the salt thereof according to any one of the above [1] to [3]. [6] An animal ectoparasite or endoparasite control agent comprising the imidazopyridazine compound having a substituted cyclopropane-oxadiazole group or the salt thereof according to any one of the above [1] to [3] as an active ingredient. [7] A method for using an animal ectoparasite or endoparasite control agent, comprising transdermally applying or orally administering an effective amount of the imidazopyridazine compound having a substituted cyclopropane-oxadiazole group or the salt thereof according to any one of the above [1] to [3] to an animal.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

The compound of the present invention or a salt thereof is not only highly effective as an agricultural or horticultural insecticide but also effective for the elimination of pests which live in the interior of or on the exterior of pet animals such as dogs and cats and domestic animals such as cattle and sheep, and for the elimination of other harmful pests such as termites.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In the definitions of the general formula (1) representing the imidazopyridazine compound having a substituted cyclopropane-oxadiazole group of the present invention or a salt thereof, “halo” refers to a “halogen atom” and represents a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, an iodine atom or a fluorine atom.

The “(C₁-C₆) alkyl group” refers to a straight-chain or branched-chain alkyl group of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, for example, a methyl group, an ethyl group, a n-propyl group, an isopropyl group, a n-butyl group, an isobutyl group, a sec-butyl group, a tert-butyl group, a n-pentyl group, an isopentyl group, a tert-pentyl group, a neopentyl group, a 2,3-dimethylpropyl group, an 1-ethylpropyl group, a 1-methylbutyl group, a 2-methylbutyl group, a n-hexyl group, an isohexyl group, a 2-hexyl group, a 3-hexyl group, a 2-methylpentyl group, a 3-methylpentyl group, a 1,1,2-trimethyl propyl group, a 3,3-dimethylbutyl group or the like.

The “(C₁-C₆) alkoxy group” in the “halo (C₁-C₆) alkoxy group” refers to a straight-chain or branched-chain alkoxy group of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, for example, a methoxy group, an ethoxy group, a n-propoxy group, an isopropoxy group, a n-butoxy group, a sec-butoxy group, a tert-butoxy group, a n-pentyloxy group, an isopentyloxy group, a tert-pentyloxy group, a neopentyloxy group, a 2,3-dimethylpropyloxy group, an 1-ethylpropyloxy group, a 1-methylbutyloxy group, a n-hexyloxy group, an isohexyloxy group, a 1,1,2-trimethylpropyloxy group or the like.

The “(C₁-C₆) alkylthio group” refers to a straight-chain or branched-chain alkylthio group of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, for example, a methylthio group, an ethylthio group, a n-propylthio group, an isopropylthio group, a n-butylthio group, a sec-butylthio group, a tert-butylthio group, a n-pentylthio group, an isopentylthio group, a tert-pentylthio group, a neopentylthio group, a 2,3-dimethylpropylthio group, an 1-ethylpropylthio group, a 1-methylbutylthio group, a n-hexylthio group, an isohexylthio group, a 1,1,2-trimethylpropylthio group or the like.

The “(C₁-C₆) alkylsulfinyl group” refers to a straight-chain or branched-chain alkylsulfinyl group of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, for example, a methylsulfinyl group, an ethylsulfinyl group, a n-propylsulfinyl group, an isopropylsulfinyl group, a n-butylsulfinyl group, a sec-butylsulfinyl group, a tert-butylsulfinyl group, a n-pentylsulfinyl group, an isopentylsulfinyl group, a tert-pentylsulfinyl group, a neopentylsulfinyl group, a 2,3-dimethylpropylsulfinyl group, an 1-ethylpropylsulfinyl group, a 1-methylbutylsulfinyl group, a n-hexylsulfinyl group, an isohexylsulfinyl group, a 1,1,2-trimethylpropylsulfinyl group or the like.

The “(C₁-C₆) alkylsulfonyl group” refers to a straight-chain or branched-chain alkylsulfonyl group of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, for example, a methylsulfonyl group, an ethylsulfonyl group, a n-propylsulfonyl group, an isopropylsulfonyl group, a n-butylsulfonyl group, a sec-butylsulfonyl group, a tert-butylsulfonyl group, a n-pentylsulfonyl group, an isopentylsulfonyl group, a tert-pentylsulfonyl group, a neopentylsulfonyl group, a 2,3-dimethylpropylsulfonyl group, an 1-ethylpropylsulfonyl group, a 1-methylbutylsulfonyl group, a n-hexylsulfonyl group, an isohexylsulfonyl group, a 1,1,2-trimethylpropylsulfonyl group or the like.

The above-mentioned “(C₁-C₆) alkyl group”, “(C₁-C₆) alkoxy group”, “(C₁-C₆) alkylthio group”, “(C₁-C₆) alkylsulfinyl group”, and “(C₁-C₆) alkylsulfonyl group” may be substituted with one or more halogen atoms at a substitutable position(s), and in the case where any of the above-listed groups is substituted with two or more halogen atoms, the halogen atoms may be the same or different.

The above-mentioned groups substituted with one or more halogen atom are expressed as a “halo (C₁-C₆) alkyl group”, a “halo (C₁-C₆) alkoxy group”, a “halo (C₁-C₆) alkylthio group”, a “halo (C₁-C₆) alkylsulfinyl group”, and a “halo (C₁-C₆) alkylsulfonyl group”. The above definitions and examples of each group in the present invention are all obvious to those skilled in the art.

The (C₁-C₆) alkyl group in the “halo (C₁-C₆) alkyl group” is, for example, the same as described above for the “(C₁-C₆) alkyl group”. The “(C₁-C₆) alkylthio group” in the “halo (C₁-C₆) alkylthio group” is, for example, the same as described above for the “(C₁-C₆) alkylthio group”. The (C₁-C₆) alkylsulfinyl group in the “halo (C₁-C₆) alkylsulfinyl group” is, for example, the same as described above for the “(C₁-C₆) alkylsulfinyl group”. The (C₁-C₆) alkylsulfonyl group in the “halo (C₁-C₆) alkylsulfonyl group” is, for example, the same as described above for the “(C₁-C₆) alkylsulfonyl group”.

The expression “(C₁-C₆)” represents the range of the number of carbon atoms in each group.

Examples of the salt of the compound represented by the general formula (1) of the present invention include inorganic acid salts, such as hydrochlorides, sulfates, nitrates and phosphates; organic acid salts, such as acetates, fumarates, maleates, oxalates, methanesulfonates, benzenesulfonates and p-toluenesulfonates; and salts with an inorganic or organic base such as a sodium ion, a potassium ion, a calcium ion and a trimethylammonium ion. Any salt can be used as long as it is acceptable as a pest eliminator such as an agricultural or horticultural chemical or a veterinary medicine.

The compound represented by the general formula (1) of the present invention and a salt thereof can have one or more chiral centers in the structural formula and can exist as two or more kinds of optical isomers. All the optical isomers and mixtures of the isomers at any ratio are also included in the present invention.

In the imidazopyridazine compound having a substituted cyclopropane-oxadiazole group represented by the general formula (1) or a salt thereof, R¹ is preferably (a3) a (C₁-C₆) alkyl group, (a4) a halo (C₁-C₆) alkyl group, or (a5) a phenyl group, R^(2a) and R^(2b) are (a1) hydrogen atoms, and R³ is (b1) a halo (C₁-C₆) alkyl group; or R¹ and R^(2a) are (a1) hydrogen atoms, R^(2b) is (a3) a (C₁-C₆) alkyl group, and R³ is (b1) a halo (C₁-C₆) alkyl group. In a more preferable embodiment, R¹ is a methyl group, a trifluoromethyl group, or a phenyl group, R^(2a) and R^(2b) are hydrogen atoms, and R³ is a pentafluoroethyl group; or R¹ and R^(2a) are hydrogen atoms, R^(2b) is a methyl group, and R³ is a pentafluoroethyl group.

The imidazopyridazine compound having a substituted cyclopropane-oxadiazole group of the present invention or a salt thereof can be produced according to, for example, the method described in WO 2017/146221 or the production method described below, which is a non-limiting example. The intermediate compounds used in the production method of the present invention can be commercially available products as they are, or they can be derived from commercially available products by known methods.

Production Method 1 [Chem. 2]

Production Method at Step [A]

The amidoxime compound represented by the general formula (1-1) can be produced by reacting the nitrile compound represented by the general formula (1-2) with hydroxylamine in the presence of a base and an inert solvent.

Examples of the base used in this reaction include inorganic bases such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium hydrogen carbonate and potassium hydrogen carbonate; acetates such as sodium acetate and potassium acetate; alkali metal alkoxides such as potassium t-butoxide, sodium methoxide and sodium ethoxide; tertiary amines such as triethylamine, diisopropylethylamine and 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene; and nitrogen-containing aromatic compounds such as pyridine and dimethylaminopyridine. The amount of the base used is usually in the range of a 1- to 10-fold molar amount relative to the compound represented by the general formula (1-2).

Examples of the hydroxylamine used in this reaction include hydroxylamine hydrochloride and hydroxylamine sulfate.

The inert solvent used in this reaction may be any solvent that does not markedly inhibit the progress of the reaction, and examples include aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene and xylene; halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbons such as methylene chloride, chloroform and carbon tetrachloride; halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons such as chlorobenzene and dichlorobenzene; straight-chain or cyclic ethers such as diethyl ether, methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), dioxane and tetrahydrofuran; esters such as ethyl acetate; amides such as dimethylformamide and dimethylacetamide; ketones such as acetone and methyl ethyl ketone; and polar solvents such as dimethyl sulfoxide, 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone and water. One of these inert solvents may be used alone, and also two or more of them may be used as a mixture.

Since this reaction is an equimolar reaction of the reactants, they are basically used in equimolar amounts, but either of them may be used in an excess amount. The reaction temperature may be in the range of room temperature to the boiling point of the inert solvent used. The reaction time varies with the reaction scale and the reaction temperature, but is basically in the range of a few minutes to 48 hours. After the reaction is completed, the compound of interest is isolated from the post-reaction mixture by the usual method. As needed, recrystallization, column chromatography, etc. can be employed for the purification of the compound of interest.

Production Method at Step [B]

The imidazopyridazine compound having a substituted cyclopropane-oxadiazole group represented by the general formula (1) can be produced by reacting the amidoxime compound represented by the general formula (1-1) with the corresponding carboxylic acid chloride or carboxylic anhydride, etc. in the presence of a base and an inert solvent.

Examples of the base used in this reaction include inorganic bases such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium hydrogen carbonate and potassium hydrogen carbonate; acetates such as sodium acetate and potassium acetate; alkali metal alkoxides such as potassium t-butoxide, sodium methoxide and sodium ethoxide; tertiary amines such as triethylamine, diisopropylethylamine and 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene; and nitrogen-containing aromatic compounds such as pyridine and dimethylaminopyridine. The amount of the base used is usually in the range of a 1- to 10-fold molar amount relative to the compound represented by the general formula (1-1).

The inert solvent used in this reaction may be any solvent that does not markedly inhibit the progress of the reaction, and examples include aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene and xylene; halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbons such as methylene chloride, chloroform and carbon tetrachloride; halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons such as chlorobenzene and dichlorobenzene; straight-chain or cyclic ethers such as diethyl ether, methyl tert-butyl ether, dioxane and tetrahydrofuran; esters such as ethyl acetate; amides such as dimethylformamide and dimethylacetamide; ketones such as acetone and methyl ethyl ketone; and polar solvents such as dimethyl sulfoxide and 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone. One of these inert solvents may be used alone, and also two or more of them may be used as a mixture.

The reaction temperature is in the range of room temperature (10 to 40° C.) to the boiling point of the inert solvent used. The reaction time varies with the reaction scale and the reaction temperature, but is basically in the range of a few minutes to 48 hours.

After the reaction is completed, the compound of interest is isolated from the post-reaction mixture by the usual method. As needed, recrystallization, column chromatography, etc. can be employed for the purification of the compound of interest.

Production Method of Starting Compound (1-2) [Chem. 3]

Production Method at Step [C]

The carboxylic acid ester represented by the general formula (2), which is produced according to the method described in WO 2016/121997, is reacted with the pyridazine compound represented by the general formula (3), which is produced according to the method described in WO 2014/142292, in the presence of a base and an inert solvent to give an amide intermediate. The intermediate, which is optionally isolated, is cyclized under acidic conditions to yield the imidazopyridazine compound represented by the general formula (1-4).

Examples of the base used in this cyclization include inorganic bases such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium hydrogen carbonate and potassium hydrogen carbonate; acetates such as sodium acetate and potassium acetate; alkali metal alkoxides such as potassium t-butoxide, sodium methoxide and sodium ethoxide; tertiary amines such as triethylamine, diisopropylethylamine and 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene; and nitrogen-containing aromatic compounds such as pyridine and dimethylaminopyridine. The amount of the base used is usually in the range of a 1- to 10-fold molar amount relative to the compound represented by the general formula (2).

The inert solvent used in this cyclization may be any solvent that does not markedly inhibit the progress of the reaction, and examples include aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene and xylene; halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbons such as methylene chloride, chloroform and carbon tetrachloride; halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons such as chlorobenzene and dichlorobenzene; straight-chain or cyclic ethers such as diethyl ether, methyl tert-butyl ether, dioxane and tetrahydrofuran; esters such as ethyl acetate; amides such as dimethylformamide and dimethylacetamide; ketones such as acetone and methyl ethyl ketone; and polar solvents such as dimethyl sulfoxide and 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone. One of these inert solvents may be used alone, and also two or more of them may be used as a mixture.

Since this cyclization is an equimolar reaction of the reactants, they are basically used in equimolar amounts, but either of them may be used in an excess amount. The reaction temperature may be in the range of room temperature to the boiling point of the inert solvent used. The reaction time varies with the reaction scale and the reaction temperature, but is basically in the range of a few minutes to 48 hours. After the reaction is completed, the resulting intermediate, which is optionally isolated from the post-reaction mixture, is reacted in the presence of an acid and an inert solvent to yield an amide intermediate.

Examples of the acid used in this reaction include inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid and nitric acid; organic acids such as formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, trifluoroacetic acid and benzoic acid; sulfonic acids such as methanesulfonic acid and trifluoromethanesulfonic acid; and phosphoric acid. The amount of the acid used is selected as appropriate from the range of a 0.01- to 10-fold molar amount relative to the compound represented by the general formula (2).

The inert solvent used in this reaction may be any solvent that does not markedly inhibit the progress of the reaction, and examples include aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene and xylene; halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbons such as methylene chloride, chloroform and carbon tetrachloride; halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons such as chlorobenzene and dichlorobenzene; straight-chain or cyclic ethers such as diethyl ether, methyl tert-butyl ether, dioxane and tetrahydrofuran; esters such as ethyl acetate; amides such as dimethylformamide and dimethylacetamide; ketones such as acetone and methyl ethyl ketone; and polar solvents such as dimethyl sulfoxide and 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone. One of these inert solvents may be used alone, and also two or more of them may be used as a mixture. After the reaction is completed, the compound of interest is isolated from the post-reaction mixture by the usual method. As needed, recrystallization, column chromatography, etc. can be employed for the purification of the compound of interest.

Production Method at Step [D]

The imidazopyridazine compound represented by the general formula (1-3) can be produced by reacting the imidazopyridazine compound represented by the general formula (1-4) with an oxidizing agent in an inert solvent.

Examples of the oxidizing agent used in this reaction include peroxides such as a hydrogen peroxide solution, peroxybenzoic acid and m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid. The amount of the oxidizing agent used is appropriately selected from the range of a 1- to 10-fold molar amount relative to the imidazopyridazine compound represented by the general formula (1-4).

The inert solvent used in this reaction may be any solvent that does not markedly inhibit the reaction, and examples include straight-chain or cyclic ethers such as diethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran and dioxane; aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene and xylene; halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbons such as methylene chloride, chloroform and carbon tetrachloride; halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons such as chlorobenzene and dichlorobenzene; nitriles such as acetonitrile; esters such as ethyl acetate; organic acids such as formic acid and acetic acid; and polar solvents such as N,N-dimethylformamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide, 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone and water. One of these inert solvents may be used alone, and also two or more of them may be used as a mixture.

The reaction temperature in this reaction is appropriately selected from the range of −10° C. to the reflux temperature of the inert solvent used. The reaction time varies with the reaction scale, the reaction temperature and the like and is not the same in every case, but is basically selected as appropriate from the range of a few minutes to 48 hours. After the reaction is completed, the compound of interest is isolated from the post-reaction mixture by the usual method. As needed, recrystallization, column chromatography, etc. can be employed for the purification of the compound of interest.

Production Method at Step [E]

The imidazopyridazine compound represented by the general formula (1-2) can be produced by what is called the Rosenmund-von ßraun reaction (Ber. Dtsch. Chem. Ges. 1919, 52, 1749) of the imidazopyridazine represented by the general formula (1-3) with a cyanide in the presence of an inert solvent.

Examples of the cyanide that can be used in this reaction include sodium cyanide, potassium cyanide, zinc cyanide and copper cyanide.

The inert solvent used in this reaction may be any solvent that does not markedly inhibit the reaction, and examples include aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene and xylene; halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbons such as methylene chloride, chloroform and carbon tetrachloride; halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons such as chlorobenzene and dichlorobenzene; and aromatic heterocycles such as pyridine. One of these inert solvents may be used alone, and also two or more of them may be used as a mixture.

The reaction temperature in this reaction is usually in the range of about 0° C. to the boiling point of the solvent used. The reaction time varies with the reaction scale, the reaction temperature and the like, but is basically selected as appropriate from the range of a few minutes to 48 hours. The amount of the cyanide used in this reaction is usually in the range of an about 1- to 5-fold molar amount relative to the imidazopyridazine compound represented by the general formula (1-2). After the reaction is completed, the compound of interest is isolated from the post-reaction mixture by the usual method. As needed, recrystallization, column chromatography, etc. can be employed for the purification of the compound of interest.

Specific examples of the compound of the present invention are shown below. Shown in the column of “Physical property value” is a melting point (° C.).

[Table 1]

TABLE 1 Compound Physical property No. Structure value 1-1

181-182 1-2

158-159 1-3

162-163 1-4

206-207

The agricultural or horticultural insecticide comprising the imidazopyridazine compound having a substituted cyclopropane-oxadiazole group represented by the general formula (1) of the present invention or a salt thereof as an active ingredient is suitable for controlling a variety of pests which may damage paddy rice, fruit trees, vegetables, other crops and ornamental flowering plants. The target pests are, for example, agricultural and forest pests, horticultural pests, stored grain pests, sanitary pests, nematodes, etc.

Specific examples include the following:

the species of the order Lepidoptera such as Parasa consocia, Anomis mesogona, Papilio xuthus, Matsumuraeses azukivora, Ostrinia scapulalis, Spodoptera exempta, Hyphantria cunea, Ostrinia furnacalis, Pseudaletia separata, Tinea translucens, Bactra furfurana, Parnara guttata, Marasmia exigua, Parnara guttata, Sesamia inferens, Brachmia triannulella, Monema flavescens, Trichoplusia ni, Pleuroptya ruralis, Cystidia couaggaria, Lampides boeticus, Cephonodes hylas, Helicoverpa armigera, Phalerodonta manleyi, Eumeta japonica, Malacosoma neustria testacea, Stathmopoda masinissa, Cuphodes diospyrosella, Archips xylosteanus, Agrotis segetum, Tetramoera schistaceana, Papilio machaon hippocrates, Endoclyta sinensis, Lyonetia prunifoliella, Phyllonorycter ringoneella, Cydia kurokoi, Eucoenogenes aestuosa, Lobesia botrana, Latoia sinica, Euzophera batangensis, Phalonidia mesotypa, Spilosoma imparilis, Glyphodes pyloalis, Olethreutes mori, Tineola bisselliella, Endoclyta excrescens, Nemapogon granellus, Synanthedon hector, Cydia pomonella, Plutella xylostella, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis, Sesamia calamistis, Scirpophaga incertulas, Pediasia teterrellus, Phthorimaea operculella, Stauropus fagi persimilis, Etiella zinckenella, Spodoptera exigua, Palpifer sexnotata, Spodoptera mauritia, Scirpophaga innotata, Xestia c-nigrum, Spodoptera depravata, Ephestia kuehniella, Angerona prunaria, Clostera anastomosis, Pseudoplusia includens, Matsumuraeses falcana, Helicoverpa assulta, Autographa nigrisigna, Agrotis ipsilon, Euproctis pseudoconspersa, Adoxophyes orana, Caloptilia theivora, Homona magnanima, Ephestia elutella, Eumeta minuscula, Clostera anachoreta, Heliothis maritima, Sparganothis pilleriana, Busseola fusca, Euproctis subflava, Biston robustum, Heliothis zea, Aedia leucomelas, Narosoideus flavidorsalis, Viminia rumicis, Bucculatrix pyrivorella, Grapholita molesta, Spulerina astaurota, Ectomyelois pyrivorella, Chilo suppressalis, Acrolepiopsis sapporensis, Plodia interpunctella, Hellula undalis, Sitotroga cerealella, Spodoptera litura, a species of the family Tortricidae (Eucosma aporema), Acleris comariana, Scopelodes contractus, Orgyia thyellina, Spodoptera frugiperda, Ostrinia zaguliaevi, Naranga aenescens, Andraca bipunctata, Paranthrene regalis, Acosmeryx castanea, Phyllocnistis toparcha, Endopiza viteana, Eupoecillia ambiguella, Anticarsia gemmatalis, Cnephasia cinereipalpana, Lymantria dispar, Dendrolimus spectabilis, Leguminivora glycinivorella, Maruca testulalis, Matsumuraeses phaseoli, Caloptilia soyella, Phyllocnistis citrella, Omiodes indicata, Archips fuscocupreanus, Acanthoplusia agnata, Bambalina sp., Carposina niponensis, Conogethes punctiferalis, Synanthedon sp., Lyonetia clerkella, Papilio helenus, Colias erate poliographus, Phalera flavescens, the species of the family Pieridae such as Pieris brassicae and Pieris rapae crucivora, Euproctis similis, Acrolepiopsis suzukiella, Ostrinia nubilalis, Mamestra brassicae, Ascotis selenaria, Phtheochroides clandestina, Hoshinoa adumbratana, Odonestis pruni japonensis, Triaena intermedia, Adoxophyes orana fasciata, Grapholita inopinata, Spilonota ocellana, Spilonota lechriaspis, Illiberis pruni, Argyresthia conjugella, Caloptilia zachrysa, Archips breviplicanus, Anomis flava, Pectinophora gossypiella, Notarcha derogata, Diaphania indica, Heliothis virescens and Earias cupreoviridis;

the species of the order Hemiptera such as Nezara antennata, Stenotus rubrovittatus, Graphosoma rubrolineatum, Trigonotylus coelestialium, Aeschynteles maculatus, Creontiades pallidifer, Dysdercus cingulatus, Chrysomphalus ficus, Aonidiella aurantii, Graptopsaltria nigrofuscata, Blissus leucopterus, Icerya purchasi, Piezodorus hybneri, Lagynotomus elongatus, Thaia subrufa, Scotinophara lurida, Sitobion ibarae, Stariodes iwasakii, Aspidiotus destructor, Taylorilygus pallidulus, Myzus mumecola, Pseudaulacaspis prunicola, Acyrthosiphon pisum, Anacanthocoris striicornis, Ectometopterus micantulus, Eysarcoris lewisi, Molipteryx fuliginosa, Cicadella viridis, Rhopalosophum rufiabdominalis, Saissetia oleae, Trialeurodes vaporariorum, Aguriahana quercus, Lygus spp., Euceraphis punctipennis, Andaspis kashicola, Coccus pseudomagnoliarum, Cavelerius saccharivorus, Galeatus spinifrons, Macrosiphoniella sanborni, Aonidiella citrina, Halyomorpha mista, Stephanitis fasciicarina, Trioza camphorae, Leptocorisa chinensis, Trioza quercicola, Uhlerites latius, Erythroneura comes, Paromius exiguus, Duplaspidiotus claviger, Nephotettix nigropictus, Halticiellus insularis, Perkinsiella saccharicida, Psylla malivorella, Anomomeura mori, Pseudococcus longispinis, Pseudaulacaspis pentagona, Pulvinaria kuwacola, Apolygus lucorum, Togo hemipterus, Toxoptera aurantii, Saccharicoccus sacchari, Geoica lucifuga, Numata muiri, Comstockaspis perniciosa, Unaspis citri, Aulacorthum solani, Eysarcoris ventralis, Bemisia argentifolii, Cicadella spectra, Aspidiotus hederae, Liorhyssus hyalinus, Calophya nigridorsalis, Sogatella furcifera, Megoura crassicauda, Brevicoryne brassicae, Aphis glycines, Leptocorisa oratorius, Nephotettix virescens, Uroeucon formosanum, Cyrtopeltis tennuis, Bemisia tabaci, Lecanium persicae, Parlatoria theae, Pseudaonidia paeoniae, Empoasca onukii, Plautia stali, Dysaphis tulipae, Macrosiphum euphorbiae, Stephanitis pyrioides, Ceroplastes ceriferus, Parlatoria camelliae, Apolygus spinolai, Nephotettix cincticeps, Glaucias subpunctatus, Orthotylus flavosparsus, Rhopalosiphum maidis, Peregrinus maidis, Eysarcoris parvus, Cimex lectularius, Psylla abieti, Nilaparvata lugens, Psylla tobirae, Eurydema rugosum, Schizaphis piricola, Psylla pyricola, Parlatoreopsis pyri, Stephanitis nashi, Dysmicoccus wistariae, Lepholeucaspis japonica, Sappaphis piri, Lipaphis erysimi, Neotoxoptera formosana, Rhopalosophum nymphaeae, Edwardsiana rosae, Pinnaspis aspidistrae, Psylla alni, Speusotettix subfusculus, Alnetoidia alneti, Sogatella panicicola, Adelphocoris lineolatus, Dysdercus poecilus, Parlatoria ziziphi, Uhlerites debile, Laodelphax striatellus, Eurydema pulchrum, Cletus trigonus, Clovia punctata, Empoasca spp., Coccus hesperidum, Pachybrachius luridus, Planococcus kraunhiae, Stenotus binotatus, Arboridia apicalis, Macrosteles fascifrons, Dolycoris baccarum, Adelphocoris triannulatus, Viteus vitifolii, Acanthocoris sordidus, Leptocorisa acuta, Macropes obnubilus, Cletus punctiger, Riptortus clavatus, Paratrioza cockerelli, Aphrophora costalis, Lygus disponsi, Lygus saundersi, Crisicoccus pini, Empoasca abietis, Crisicoccus matsumotoi, Aphis craccivora, Megacopta punctatissimum, Eysarcoris guttiger, Lepidosaphes beckii, Diaphorina citri, Toxoptera citricidus, Planococcus citri, Dialeurodes citri, Aleurocanthus spiniferus, Pseudococcus citriculus, Zyginella citri, Pulvinaria citricola, Coccus discrepans, Pseudaonidia duplex, Pulvinaria aurantii, Lecanium corni, Nezara viridula, Stenodema calcaratum, Rhopalosiphum padi, Sitobion akebiae, Schizaphis graminum, Sorhoanus tritici, Brachycaudus helichrysi, Carpocoris purpureipennis, Myzus persicae, Hyalopterus pruni, Aphis farinose yanagicola, Metasalis populi, Unaspis yanonensis, Mesohomotoma camphorae, Aphis spiraecola, Aphis pomi, Lepidosaphes ulmi, Psylla mali, Heterocordylus flavipes, Myzus malisuctus, Aphidonuguis mali, Orientus ishidai, Ovatus malicolens, Eriosoma lanigerum, Ceroplastes rubens and Aphis gossypii;

the species of the order Coleoptera such as Xystrocera globosa, Paederus fuscipes, Eucetonia roelofsi, Callosobruchus chinensis, Cylas formicarius, Hypera postica, Echinocnemus squameus, Oulema oryzae, Donacia provosti, Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus, Colasposoma dauricum, Euscepes postfasciatus, Epilachna varivestis, Acanthoscelides obtectus, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera, Involvulus cupreus, Aulacophora femoralis, Bruchus pisorum, Epilachna vigintioctomaculata, Carpophilus dimidiatus, Cassida nebulosa, Luperomorpha tunebrosa, Phyllotreta striolata, Psacothea hilaris, Aeolesthes chrysothrix, Curculio sikkimensis, Carpophilus hemipterus, Oxycetonia jucunda, Diabrotica spp., Mimela splendens, Sitophilus zeamais, Tribolium castaneum, Sitophilus oryzae, Palorus subdepressus, Melolontha japonica, Anoplophora malasiaca, Neatus picipes, Leptinotarsa decemlineata, Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi, Sphenophorus venatus, Crioceris quatuordecimpunctata, Conotrachelus nenuphar, Ceuthorhynchidius albosuturalis, Phaedon brassicae, Lasioderma serricorne, Sitona japonicus, Adoretus tenuimaculatus, Tenebrio molitor, Basilepta balyi, Hypera nigrirostris, Chaetocnema concinna, Anomala cuprea, Heptophylla picea, Epilachna vigintioctopunctata, Diabrotica longicornis, Eucetonia pilifera, Agriotes spp., Attagenus unicolor japonicus, Pagria signata, Anomala rufocuprea, Palorus ratzeburgii, Alphitobius laevigatus, Anthrenus verbasci, Lyctus brunneus, Tribolium confusum, Medythia nigrobilineata, Xylotrechus pyrrhoderus, Epitrix cucumeris, Tomicus piniperda, Monochamus alternatus, Popillia japonica, Epicauta gorhami, Sitophilus zeamais, Rhynchites heros, Listroderes costirostris, Callosobruchus maculatus, Phyllobius armatus, Anthonomus pomorum, Linaeidea aenea and Anthonomus grandis;

the species of the order Diptera such as Culex pipiens pallens, Pegomya hyoscyami, Liriomyza huidobrensis, Musca domestica, Chlorops oryzae, Hydrellia sasakii, Agromyza oryzae, Hydrellia griseola, Hydrellia griseola, Ophiomyia phaseoli, Dacus cucurbitae, Drosophila suzukii, Rhacochlaena japonica, Muscina stabulans, the species of the family Phoridae such as Megaselia spiracularis, Clogmia albipunctata, Tipula aino, Phormia regina, Culex tritaeniorhynchus, Anopheles sinensis, Hylemya brassicae, Asphondylia sp., Delia platura, Delia antiqua, Rhagoletis cerasi, Culex pipiens molestus Forskal, Ceratitis capitata, Bradysia agrestis, Pegomya cunicularia, Liriomyza sativae, Liriomyza bryoniae, Chromatomyia horticola, Liriomyza chinensis, Culex quinquefasciatus, Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus, Liriomyza trifolii, Liriomyza sativae, Dacus dorsalis, Dacus tsuneonis, Sitodiplosis mosellana, Meromuza nigriventris, Anastrepha ludens and Rhagoletis pomonella;

the species of the order Hymenoptera such as Pristomyrmex pungens, Bethylid wasps, Monomorium pharaonis, Pheidole noda, Athalia rosae, Dryocosmus kuriphilus, Formica fusca japonica, Vespid wasps, Athalia infumata infumata, Arge pagana, Athalia japonica, Acromyrmex spp., Solenopsis spp., Arge mali and Ochetellus glaber;

the species of the order Orthoptera such as Homorocoryphus lineosus, Gryllotalpa sp., Oxya hyla intricata, Oxyayezoensis, Locusta migratoria, Oxya japonica, Homorocoryphus jezoensis and Teleogryllus emma;

the species of the order Thysanoptera such as Selenothrips rubrocinctus, Stenchaetothrips biformis, Haplothrips aculeatus, Ponticulothrips diospyrosi, Thrips flavus, Anaphothrips obscurus, Liothrips floridensis, Thrips simplex, Thrips nigropilosus, Ileliothrips haemorrhoidalis, Pseudodendrothrips mori, Microcephalothrips abdominalis, Leeuwenia pasanii, Litotetothrips pasaniae, Scirtothrips citri, Haplothrips chinensis, Mycterothrips glycines, Thrips setosus, Scirtothrips dorsalis, Dendrothrips minowai, Haplothrips niger, Thrips tabaci, Thrips alliorum, Thrips hawaiiensis, Haplothrips kurdjumovi, Chirothrips manicatus, Frankliniella intonsa, Thrips coloratus, Franklinella occidentalis, Thrips palmi, Frankliniella lilivora and Liothrips vaneeckei;

the species of the order Acari such as Leptotrombidium akamushi, Tetranychus ludeni, Dermacentor variabilis, Tetranychus truncatus, Ornithonyssus bacoti, Demodex canis, Tetranychus viennensis, Tetranychus kanzawai, the species of the family Ixodidae such as Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Cheyletus malaccensis, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, Dermatophagoides farinae, Latrodectus hasseltii, Dermacentor taiwanensis, Acaphylla theavagrans, Polyphagotarsonemus latus, Aculops lycopersici, Ornithonyssus sylvairum, Tetranychus urticae, Eriophyes chibaensis, Sarcoptes scabiei, Haemaphysalis longicornis, Ixodes scapularis, Tyrophagus similis, Cheyletus eruditus, Panonychus citri, Cheyletus moorei, Brevipalpus phoenicis, Octodectes cynotis, Dermatophagoides ptrenyssnus, Haemaphysalis flava, Ixodes ovatus, Phyllocoptruta citri, Aculus schlechtendali, Panonychus ulmi, Amblyomma americanum, Dermanyssus gallinae, Rhyzoglyphus robini and Sancassania sp.;

the species of the order Isoptera such as Reticulitermes miyatakei, Incisitermes minor, Coptotermes formosanus, Hodotermopsis japonica, Reticulitermes sp., Reticulitermes flaviceps amamianus, Glyptotermes kushimensis, Coptotermes guangzhoensis, Neotermes koshunensis, Glyptotermes kodamai, Glyptotermes satsumensis, Cryptotermes domesticus, Odontotermes formosanus, Glyptotermes nakajimai, Pericapritermes nitobei and Reticulitermes speratus;

the species of the order Blattodea such as Periplaneta fuliginosa, Blattella germanica, Blatta orientalis, Periplaneta brunnea, Blattella lituricollis, Periplaneta japonica and Periplaneta americana;

the species of the order Siphonaptera such as Pulex irritans, Ctenocephalides felis and Ceratophyllus gallinae;

the species of the phylum Nematoda such as Nothotylenchus acris, Aphelenchoides besseyi, Pratylenchus penetrans, Meloidogyne hapla, Meloidogyne incognita, Globodera rostochiensis, Meloidogyne javanica, Heterodera glycines, Pratylenchus coffeae, Pratylenchus neglectus and Tylenchus semipenetrans; and

the species of the phylum Mollusca such as Pomacea canaliculata, Achatina fulica, Meghimatium bilineatum, Lehmannina valentiana, Limax flavus and Acusta despecta sieboldiana.

In addition, the agricultural or horticultural insecticide of the present invention has a strong insecticidal effect on Tuta absoluta as well.

Further, animal-parasitic mites and ticks which live in the interior of or on the exterior of animals are also included in the target pests, and examples include the species of the family Ixodidae such as Boophilus microplus, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Haemaphysalis longicornis, Haemaphysalis flava, Haemaphysalis campanulata, Haemaphysalis concinna, Haemaphysalis japonica, Haemaphysalis kitaokai, Haemaphysalis ias, Ixodes ovatus, Ixodes nipponensis, Ixodes persulcatus, Amblyomma testudinarium, Haemaphysalis megaspinosa, Dermacentor reticulatus and Dermacentor taiwanensis; Dermanyssus gallinae; the species of the genus Ornithonyssus such as Ornithonyssus sylviarum and Ornithonyssus bursa; the species of the family Trombiculidae such as Eutrombicula wichmanni, Leptotrombidium akamushi, Leptotrombidium pallidum, Leptotrombidium fuji, Leptotrombidium tosa, Neotrombicula autumnalis, Eutrombicula alfreddugesi and Helenicula miyagawai; the species of the family Cheyletidae such as Cheyletiella vasguri, Cheyletiella parasitivorax and Cheyletiella blakei; the species of the superfamily Sarcoptoidea such as Psoroptes cuniculi, Chorioptes bovis, Otodectes cynotis, Sarcoptes scabiei and Notoedres cati; and the species of the family Demodicidae such as Demodex canis.

Other target pests include fleas including ectoparasitic wingless insects belonging to the order Siphonaptera, more specifically, the species belonging to the families Pulicidae and Ceratophyllidae. Examples of the species belonging to the family Pulicidae include Ctenocephalides canis, Ctenocephalides felis, Pulex irritans, Echidnophaga gallinacea, Xenopsylla cheopis, Leptopsylla segnis, Nosopsyllus fasciatus and Monopsyllus anisus.

Other target pests include ectoparasites, for example, the species of the suborder Anoplura such as Haemnatopinus eurysternus, Haematopinus asini, Dalmalinia ovis, Linognathus vituli, Haematopinus suis, Phthirus pubis and Pediculus capitis; the species of the suborder Mallophaga such as Trichodectes canis; and hematophagous Dipteran insect pests such as Tabanus trigonus, Culicoides schultzei and Simulium ornatum. Also included are endoparasites, for example, nematodes such as lungworms, whipworms, nodular worms, endogastric parasitic worms, ascarides and filarial worms; cestodes such as Spirometra erinacei, Diphyllobothrium latum, Dipylidium caninum, Multiceps multiceps, Echinococcus granulosus and Echinococcus multilocularis; trematodes such as Schistosoma japonicum and Fasciola hepatica; and protozoa such as coccidia, Plasmodium, intestinal Sarcocystis, Toxoplasma and Cryptosporidium.

Specific Examples of the endoparasite include the following endoparasites:

from the order Enoplida, for example, Trichuris spp. (whipworms), Capillaria spp. (hairworms), Trichomosoides spp., Trichinella spp. (roundworms), etc.; from the order Rhabditida, for example, Micronena spp., Strongyloides spp., etc.; from the order Strongylida, for example, Strongylus spp. (strongyles), Triodontophorus spp., Oesophagodontus spp., Trichonema spp., Gyalocephalus spp., Cylindropharynx spp., Poteriostomum spp., Cyclococercus spp., Cylicostephanus spp., Oesophagostomum spp. (nodule worms), Chabertia spp., Stephanurus spp. (Stephanurus dentatus), Ancylostoma spp. (Ancylostoma duodenale), Uncinaria spp., Bunostomum spp., Globocephalus spp., Syngamus spp., Cyathostoma spp., Metastrongylus spp. (lungworms), Dictyocaulus spp., Muellerius spp., Protostrongylus spp., Neostrongylus spp., Cystocaulus spp., Pneumostrongylus spp., Spicocaulus spp., Elaphostrongylus spp., Parelaphostrongylus spp., Crenosoma spp., Paracrenosoma spp., Angiostrongylus spp. (Angiostrongylus cantonensis), Aelurostrongylus spp., Filaroides spp., Parafilaroides spp., Trichostrongylus spp. (trichostrongyles), Haemonchus spp. (Haemonchus contortus), Ostertagia spp., Marshallagia spp., Cooperia spp., Nematodirus spp. (nematodes), Hyostrongylus spp., Obeliscoides spp., Amidostomum spp., Ollulanus spp., etc.;

from the order Oxyurida, for example, Oxyuris spp. (Oxyuris equi), Enterobius spp. (pinworms), Passalurus spp., Syphacia spp., Aspiculuris spp., Heterakis spp., etc.;

from the order Ascaridia, for example, Ascaris spp. (ascarids), Toxascaris spp., Toxocara spp. (Toxocara canis), Parascaris spp. (Parascaris equorum), Anisakis spp., Ascaridia spp., etc.; from the order Spirurida, for example, Gnathostoma spp., Physaloptera spp., Thelazia spp., Gongylonema spp., Habronena spp., Parabronema spp., Draschia spp., Dracunculus spp. (Dracunculus medinensis), etc.;

from the order Filariida, for example, Stephanofilaria spp., Parafilaria spp., Setaria spp., Loa spp., Dirofilaria spp. (Dirofilaria immitis), Litomosoides spp., Brugia spp., Wuchereria spp., Onchocerca spp., etc.; and

from the order Gigantorhynchida, for example, Filicollis spp., Monilifonrmis spp., Macracanthorhynchus spp., Prosthenorchis spp., etc.

The ectoparasite or endoparasite control agent comprising the imidazopyridazine compound having a substituted cyclopropane-oxadiazole group represented by the general formula (1) of the present invention or a salt thereof as an active ingredient is effective against not only parasites that live in the body of an intermediate or final host, but also parasites that live in the body of a reservoir host. The compound represented by the general formula (1) of the present invention or a salt thereof is effective at every developmental stage of parasites. For example, in the case of protozoa, the compound is effective against their cysts, precystic forms and trophozoites; schizonts and amoeboid forms at the asexual stage; gametocytes, gametes and zygotes at the sexual stage; sporozoites; etc. In the case of nematodes, the compound is effective against their eggs, larvae and adults. The compound of the present invention is capable of not only combating parasites in the living body, but also even preventing endoparasitic or ectoparasitic infection by application to the environment as a route of infection. For example, it can prevent the occurrence of soil-borne infection, i.e., infection from soil of crop fields and parks; percutaneous infection from water in rivers, lakes, marshes, paddy fields, etc.; oral infection from feces of animals such as dogs and cats; oral infection from saltwater fish, freshwater fish, crustaceans, shellfish, raw meat of domestic animals, etc.; infection from mosquitoes, gadflies, flies, cockroaches, mites and ticks, fleas, lice, assassin bugs, trombiculid mites, etc.; and the like.

The use in mammals and birds will be described below. For the control of ectoparasites or endoparasites in mammals and birds using the compound of the present invention, an effective amount of the compound of the present invention with pharmaceutical excipients can be delivered by oral administration; parenteral administration such as injection (intramuscular, subcutaneous, intravenous, intraperitoneal); or transdermal or transnasal administration such as dipping, spraying, bathing, washing, pouring-on, spotting-on, or dusting. For the administration of the compound of the present invention, molded products containing the compound, such as strips, plates, bands, collars, earmarks, limb bands, and label devices, can also be used. The compound of the present invention can be formulated into any dosage form suitable for the administration route selected as appropriate.

Examples of the dosage form of the compound of the present invention include solid preparations, such as powders, granules, wettable powders, pellets, tablets, bolus, capsules, and molded products containing the compound of the present invention; water-miscible or oily liquid preparations, such as injectable solutions, oral solutions, solutions for use on the animal skin or in body cavities (e.g., spot-on solutions, pour-on solutions), and emulsions; suspension preparations such as flowables; and semi-solid preparations such as ointments and gels. The solid preparations can be used mainly for oral administration or for transdermal administration after dilution with water, or for environmental treatment.

The solid preparations can be produced by mixing the compound of the present invention, and if necessary an adjuvant, with an appropriate filler and then shaping the mixture into a desired form. Examples of the appropriate filler include inorganic substances such as carbonate salts, hydrogen carbonate salts, phosphate salts, aluminum oxide, silica, and clay; and organic substances such as sugar, cellulose, ground cereals, and starch.

The injectable solutions can be administered intravenously, intramuscularly, or subcutaneously. The injectable solutions can be produced by dissolving the compound of the present invention in an appropriate solvent, and if necessary, adding excipients such as solubilizing agents, acids, bases, buffer salts, antioxidants, and protecting agents to the solution. Examples of the appropriate solvent include water, ethanol, butanol, benzyl alcohol, glycerin, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, N-methyl pyrrolidone, and a mixture thereof, physiologically acceptable vegetable oils, and synthetic oils suitable for injection. Examples of the solubilizing agent include polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyoxyethylated castor oil, and polyoxyethylated sorbitan ester. Examples of the protecting agent include benzyl alcohol, trichlorobutanol, p-hydroxybenzoic acid ester, and n-butanol.

The oral solutions can be administered directly or after dilution. The oral solutions can be prepared according to well-established and conventional pharmaceutical technology as with the injectable solutions.

The flowables, emulsions, and the like can be transdermally administered directly or after dilution, or administered in an environment-friendly manner.

The solutions for use on the animal skin can be administered by pouring on, spreading, rubbing in, spraying, dispersing or dipping (dipping, bathing, or washing) or applying. These solutions can be prepared as described above for the injectable solutions.

The pour-on solutions and spot-on solutions are dripped or sprayed onto a defined area of the animal skin, and thereby the compound of the present invention is allowed to permeate through the animal skin and act systemically. The pour-on solutions and spot-on solutions can be prepared by dissolving, suspending, or emulsifying the active ingredient in an appropriate solvent or mixed solvent suitable for use on the animal skin. If necessary, an adjuvant such as a surfactant, a colorant, an absorption enhancer, an antioxidant, a defoamer, a light stabilizer, and/or an adhesive may be contained. Examples of the solvent include water, alkanol, glycol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, glycerin, benzyl alcohol, phenylethanol, phenoxyethanol, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, benzyl benzoate, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, aromatic and/or aliphatic hydrocarbons, vegetable or synthetic oils, DMF (dimethylformamide), liquid paraffin, light liquid paraffin, silicone, dimethylacetamide, N-methyl pyrrolidone, and 2,2-dimethyl-4-oxy-methylene-1,3-dioxolane. Examples of the absorption enhancer include DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide), isopropyl myristate, dipropylene glycol pelargonate, silicone oil, aliphatic ester, triglyceride, and fatty alcohol. Examples of the antioxidant include sulfite salts, metabisulfite salts, ascorbic acid, butylated hydroxytoluene, butylated hydroxyanisole, and tocopherol.

The emulsions can be delivered by oral administration, transdermal administration, or injection. The emulsions can be prepared by dissolving the active ingredient in a hydrophobic or hydrophilic phase and homogenizing a mixture of this solution and the other phase solvent with the addition of an appropriate emulsifier and if necessary an adjuvant such as a colorant, an absorption enhancer, a protecting agent, an antioxidant, a light-shielding agent, and/or a thickener.

Examples of the hydrophobic phase (oil) include paraffin oil, silicone oil, sesame oil, almond oil, castor oil; synthetic triglycerides, medium-chain fatty acid triglycerides (e.g., triglycerides with caprylic acid (C₈) or capric acid (C₁₀), etc.); esters such as ethyl stearate, di-n-butyryl adipate, hexyl laurate, dipropylene glycol pelargonate, glycerol esters of branched short-chain fatty acids and saturated fatty acids of C₁₆-C₁₈ chain length, isopropyl myristate, isopropyl palmitate, caprylic or capric acid esters of saturated fatty alcohols of C₁₂-C₁₈ chain length, isopropyl stearate, oleyl oleate, decyl oleate, ethyl oleate, ethyl lactate, waxy fatty acid ester, dibutyl phthalate, and diisopropyl adipate; and alcohols such as isotridecyl alcohol, 2-octyldodecanol, cetyl stearyl alcohol, and oleyl alcohol.

Examples of the hydrophilic phase include water, propylene glycol, glycerin, and sorbitol.

Examples of the emulsifier include nonionic surfactants such as polyoxyethylated castor oil, polyoxyethylated sorbitan monoolefinate, sorbitan monostearate, glyceryl monostearate, polyoxyethyl stearate, and alkylphenol polyglycol ether; amphoteric surfactants such as disodium N-lauryl β-iminodipropionate and lecithin; anionic surfactants such as sodium lauryl sulfate, fatty alcohol ether sulfate, and monoethanolamine salts of mono-/di-alkyl polyglycol orthophosphoric acid ester; and cationic surfactants such as cetyltrimethylammonium chloride.

Examples of the defoamer include Shin-etsu silicone (manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.), silicone SM 5512 (manufactured by Toray Dow Corning Silicone Co. Ltd.), ANTIFOAM E-20 (manufactured by Kao Corporation), and SILFOAM SE 39 (manufactured by Wacker Asahikasei Silicone Co., Ltd.).

Other adjuvants include carboxymethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, polyacrylate, alginate, gelatin, gum arabic, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol, methyl vinyl ether, maleic anhydride copolymers, polyethylene glycol, waxes, and colloidal silica.

The semi-solid preparations can be administered by applying or spreading them on the animal skin or introducing them into body cavities. The gels can be prepared by preparing a solution as described above for the injectable solutions and adding, to the solution, a thickener in an amount sufficient to give a clear, ointment-like, viscous substance.

In the case where the ectoparasite or endoparasite control agent of the present invention is used as a pharmaceutical for animals of human, non-human mammalian or avian species, the optimum amount (effective amount) of the active ingredient varies with the purpose (treatment or prevention), the kind of infectious parasite, the type and severity of infection, the dosage form, etc., but in general, the oral daily dose is in the range of about 0.0001 to 10000 mg/kg body weight and the parenteral daily dose is in the range of about 0.0001 to 10000 mg/kg body weight. Such a dose may be given as a single dose or in divided doses.

The concentration of the active ingredient in the ectoparasite or endoparasite control agent of the present invention is generally about 0.001 to 100% by mass, preferably about 0.001 to 99% by mass, and more preferably about 0.005 to 20% by mass. The endoparasite control agent of the present invention may be a composition that can be directly administered, or a highly concentrated composition that needs to be diluted to a suitable concentration before use.

The ectoparasite or endoparasite control agent of the present invention can be used in combination with any existing endoparasite control agent for the purpose of reinforcing or complementing its effect. In such a combined use, two or more active ingredients may be mixed and formulated into a single preparation before administration, or two or more different preparations may be administered separately.

The agricultural or horticultural insecticide comprising the imidazopyridazine compound having a substituted cyclopropane-oxadiazole group represented by the general formula (1) of the present invention or a salt thereof as an active ingredient will be described hereinafter. The compound of the present invention has a remarkable control effect on the above-described pests which damage lowland crops, field crops, fruit trees, vegetables, other crops, ornamental flowering plants, etc. The desired effect can be obtained when the agricultural or horticultural insecticide is applied to nursery facilities for seedlings, paddy fields, fields, fruit trees, vegetables, other crops, ornamental flowering plants, etc. and their seeds, paddy water, foliage, growing media such as soil, or the like at an appropriate time depending on the expected time of pest infestation, i.e., before pest infestation or upon the confirmation of pest infestation. In particular, systemic application is preferable. That is, the agricultural or horticultural insecticide is applied to nursery soil, soil in transplanting holes, plant foot, irrigation water, cultivation water in hydroponics, or the like so that the compound of the present invention is systemically absorbed into crops, ornamental flowering plants, etc. through the roots via soil or otherwise.

The useful plant to which the agricultural or horticultural insecticide of the present invention can be applied is not particularly limited. Examples of the useful plant include cereals (e.g., rice, barley, wheat, rye, oats, corn, etc.), legumes (e.g., soybeans, azuki beans, broad beans, green peas, kidney beans, peanuts, etc.), fruit trees and fruits (e.g., apples, citrus fruits, pears, grapes, peaches, plums, cherries, walnuts, chestnuts, almonds, bananas, etc.), leaf and fruit vegetables (e.g., cabbages, tomatoes, spinach, broccoli, lettuce, onions, green onions (chives, Welsh onions, etc.), green peppers, eggplants, strawberries, pepper crops, okra, Chinese chives, etc.), root vegetables (e.g., carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes, taros, Japanese radishes, turnips, lotus roots, burdock roots, garlic, Chinese scallions, etc.), crops for processing (e.g., cotton, hemp, beet, hops, sugarcane, sugar beet, olives, rubber, coffee, tobacco, tea, etc.), gourds (e.g., Japanese pumpkins, cucumbers, watermelons, oriental sweet melons, melons, etc.), pasture grass (e.g., orchardgrass, sorghum, timothy, clover, alfalfa, etc.), lawn grass (e.g., Korean lawn grass, bent grass, etc.), spice and aromatic crops and ornamental crops (e.g., lavender, rosemary, thyme, parsley, pepper, ginger, etc.), ornamental flowering plants (e.g., chrysanthemum, rose, carnation, orchid, tulip, lily, etc.), garden trees (e.g., ginkgo trees, cherry trees, Japanese aucuba, etc.) and forest trees (e.g., Abies sachalinensis, Picea jezoensis, pine, yellow cedar, Japanese cedar, hinoki cypress, eucalyptus, etc.).

The “plants” also include plants provided with herbicide tolerance by a classical breeding technique or a gene recombination technique. Examples of such herbicide tolerance include tolerance to HPPD inhibitors, such as isoxaflutole; ALS inhibitors, such as imazethapyr and thifensulfuron-methyl; EPSP synthase inhibitors, such as glyphosate; glutamine synthetase inhibitors, such as glufosinate; acetyl-CoA carboxylase inhibitors, such as sethoxydim; or other herbicides, such as bromoxynil, dicamba and 2,4-D.

Examples of the plant provided with herbicide tolerance by a classical breeding technique include varieties of rapeseed, wheat, sunflower and rice tolerant to the imidazolinone family of ALS-inhibiting herbicides such as imazethapyr, and such plants are sold under the trade name of Clearfield (registered trademark). Also included is a variety of soybean provided with tolerance to the sulfonyl urea family of ALS-inhibiting herbicides such as thifensulfuron-methyl by a classical breeding technique, and this is sold under the trade name of STS soybean. Also included are plants provided with tolerance to acetyl-CoA carboxylase inhibitors such as trione oxime herbicides and aryloxy phenoxy propionic acid herbicides by a classical breeding technique, for example, SR corn and the like.

Plants provided with tolerance to acetyl-CoA carboxylase inhibitors are described in Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 87, 7175-7179 (1990), and the like. Further, acetyl-CoA carboxylase mutants resistant to acetyl-CoA carboxylase inhibitors are reported in Weed Science, 53, 728-746 (2005), and the like, and by introducing the gene of such an acetyl-CoA carboxylase mutant into plants by a gene recombination technique, or introducing a resistance-conferring mutation into acetyl-CoA carboxylase of plants, plants tolerant to acetyl-CoA carboxylase inhibitors can be engineered. Alternatively, by introducing a nucleic acid causing base substitution mutation into plant cells (a typical example of this technique is chimeraplasty technique (Gura T. 1999. Repairing the Genome's Spelling Mistakes. Science 285: 316-318)) to allow site-specific substitution mutation in the amino acids encoded by an acetyl-CoA carboxylase gene, an ALS gene or the like of plants, plants tolerant to acetyl-CoA carboxylase inhibitors, ALS inhibitors or the like can be engineered. The agricultural or horticultural insecticide of the present invention can be applied to these plants as well.

Toxins used in combination with the compound of the present invention or a salt thereof will be described hereinafter. Exemplary toxins expressed in genetically modified plants include insecticidal proteins of Bacillus cereus or Bacillus popilliae; Bacillus thuringiensis δ-endotoxins, such as Cry1Ab, Cry1Ac, Cry1F, Cry1Fa2, Cry2Ab, Cry3A, Cry3Bb1 and Cry9C, and other insecticidal proteins, such as VIP1, VIP2, VIP3 and VIP3A; nematode insecticidal proteins; toxins produced by animals, such as scorpion toxins, spider toxins, bee toxins and insect-specific neurotoxins; toxins of filamentous fungi; plant lectins; agglutinin; protease inhibitors, such as trypsin inhibitors, serine protease inhibitors, patatin, cystatin and papain inhibitors; ribosome inactivating proteins (RIP), such as ricin, maize RIP, abrin, luffin, saporin and bryodin; steroid metabolizing enzymes, such as 3-hydroxy steroid oxidase, ecdysteroid-UDP-glucosyltransferase and cholesterol oxidase; ecdysone inhibitors; HMG-CoA reductase; ion channel inhibitors, such as sodium channel inhibitors and calcium channel inhibitors; juvenile hormone esterase; diuretic hormone receptors; stilbene synthase; bibenzyl synthase; chitinase; and glucanase.

Also included are hybrid toxins, partially deficient toxins and modified toxins derived from the following: S-endotoxin proteins such as Cry1Ab, Cry1Ac, Cry1F, Cry1Fa2, Cry2Ab, Cry3A, Cry3Bb1, Cry9C, Cry34Ab and Cry35Ab, and other insecticidal proteins such as VIP1, VIP2, VIP3 and VIP3A. The hybrid toxin can be produced by combining some domains of these proteins differently from the original combination in nature with the use of a recombination technique. As the partially deficient toxin, a Cry1Ab toxin in which a part of the amino acid sequence is deleted is known. In the modified toxin, one or more amino acids of a naturally occurring toxin are substituted.

Examples of the foregoing toxins and genetically modified plants capable of synthesizing these toxins are described in EP0374753A, WO93/07278, WO95/34656, EP0427529A, EP451878A, WO03/052073, etc.

Due to the toxins contained in such genetically modified plants, the plants exhibit resistance to pests, in particular, Coleopteran insect pests, Hemipteran insect pests, Dipteran insect pests, Lepidopteran insect pests and nematodes. The above-described technologies and the agricultural or horticultural insecticide of the present invention can be used in combination or used systematically.

When the agricultural or horticultural insecticide of the present invention is used to control target insect pests or nematodes, it may or may not be diluted or suspended in water etc., and its effective amount for pest or nematode control is applied to plants potentially infested with the target insect pests or nematodes. For example, in order to control insect pests or nematodes that may damage crops such as fruit trees, cereals and vegetables, foliar application may be performed, and also seed treatment, such as dipping, dust coating, and calcium peroxide coating of seeds, may be performed. Further, treatment of soil or the like may also be performed to allow plants to absorb agrochemicals through their roots. Examples of such treatment include whole soil incorporation, planting row treatment, bed soil incorporation, plug seedling treatment, planting hole treatment, plant foot treatment, top-dressing, rice nursery box treatment, and submerged application. In addition, application to growing media in hydroponics, smoking treatment, trunk injection, and the like can also be performed.

Further, the agricultural or horticultural insecticide of the present invention, with or without dilution or suspension in water etc., can be applied to sites potentially infested with pests in an amount effective for the control of the pests. For example, spray treatment of stored grain pests, house pests, sanitary pests, forest pests, etc. can be performed, and also coating, smoking, or baiting treatment of residential building materials can be performed.

Exemplary methods of seed treatment include dipping of seeds in a diluted or undiluted fluid of a liquid or solid formulation for the permeation of agrochemicals into the seeds; mixing or dust coating of seeds with a solid or liquid formulation for the adherence of the formulation onto the surfaces of the seeds; coating of seeds with a mixture of a solid or liquid formulation and an adhesive carrier such as resins and polymers; and application of a solid or liquid formulation to the vicinity of seeds at the same time as seeding.

The term “seed” in the seed treatment refers to a plant body which is in the early stages of cultivation and used for plant propagation. The examples include, in addition to what is called a seed, a plant body for vegetative propagation, such as a bulb, a tuber, a seed potato, a bulbil, a propagule, a discoid stem, and a stem used for cuttage.

The term “soil” or “growing medium” in the method of the present invention for using an agricultural or horticultural insecticide refers to a support medium for crop cultivation, in particular, a support medium which allows crop plants to spread their roots therein, and the materials are not particularly limited as long as they allow plants to grow. Examples of the support medium include what is called soil, seedling mats, and water, and specific examples of the materials include sand, pumice, vermiculite, diatomite, agar, gelatinous substances, high-molecular-weight substances, rock wool, glass wool, wood chip, and bark.

Exemplary methods of the application to crop foliage or to stored grain pests, house pests, sanitary pests, forest pests, etc. include application of liquid formulations such as emulsifiable concentrates or flowables, or solid formulations such as wettable powders or water-dispersible granules after appropriate dilution in water. Also included are dust application and smoking.

Exemplary methods of soil application include application of a water-diluted or undiluted liquid formulation to the foot of plants, nursery beds for seedlings, or the like; application of granules to the foot of plants, nursery beds for seedlings, or the like; application of dusts, wettable powders, water-dispersible granules, granules, or the like onto soil and subsequent incorporation of the formulation into the whole soil before seeding or transplanting; and application of dusts, wettable powders, water-dispersible granules, granules, or the like to planting holes, planting rows, or the like before seeding or planting.

In the case of the application to nursery boxes for paddy rice, dusts, water-dispersible granules, granules, or the like are used depending on whether the application is performed at the time of seeding, in the greening period, at the time of transplanting, or the like. Such a formulation can be applied by incorporation into nursery soil. For example, dusts, water-dispersible granules, granules, or the like may be incorporated into bed soil, covering soil, or the whole nursery soil. Simply, nursery soil and such a formulation may be alternately layered.

In the application to paddy fields, solid formulations such as jumbos, packs, granules, and water-dispersible granules, or liquid formulations such as flowables and emulsifiable concentrates are applied usually to flooded paddy fields. In addition, at the time of rice planting, a suitable formulation can be applied onto or injected into soil as it is or after mixed with a fertilizer etc. In addition, the source of water inflow to paddy fields, such as a water inlet and an irrigation system, may be treated with emulsifiable concentrates, flowables, or the like. In this case, the application to paddy fields can be accomplished with the supply of water and thus achieved in a labor-saving manner.

For field crops, their seeds, growing media in the vicinity of their plants, or the like may be treated with the agricultural or horticultural insecticide of the present invention in the period from seeding to seedling culture. In the case of plants for direct-seeding cultivation in the field, direct seed treatment is preferable, and plant foot treatment during cultivation is also preferable. Specifically, granule application or drench treatment with a formulation in a water-diluted or undiluted liquid form can be performed. Another preferable treatment is incorporation of granules into growing media before seeding.

In the case of plants for transplant cultivation, preferable examples of the treatment in the period from seeding to seedling stage include direct seed treatment; drench treatment of nursery beds for seedlings with a formulation in a liquid form; and granule application to nursery beds for seedlings. Also included are treatment of planting holes with granules at the time of fix planting; and incorporation of granules into growing media in the vicinity of transplanting points at the time of fix planting.

The agricultural or horticultural insecticide of the present invention is commonly used as a formulation convenient for application, which is prepared by the usual method for preparing agrochemical formulations. That is, the imidazopyridazine compound having a substituted cyclopropane-oxadiazole group represented by the general formula (1) of the present invention or a salt thereof and an appropriate inactive carrier, and if needed an adjuvant, are blended at an appropriate ratio, and through the step of dissolution, separation, suspension, mixing, impregnation, adsorption and/or adhesion, are formulated into an appropriate form for application, such as a suspension concentrate, an emulsifiable concentrate, a soluble concentrate, a wettable powder, a water-dispersible granule, a granule, a dust, a tablet and a pack.

The composition (agricultural or horticultural insecticide or animal parasite control agent) of the present invention can optionally contain an additive usually used for agrochemical formulations or animal parasite control agents in addition to the active ingredient. Examples of the additive include carriers such as solid or liquid carriers, surfactants, dispersants, wetting agents, binders, tackifiers, thickeners, colorants, spreaders, sticking/spreading agents, antifreezing agents, anti-caking agents, disintegrants and stabilizing agents. If needed, preservatives, plant fragments, etc. may also be used as the additive. One of these additives may be used alone, and also two or more of them may be used in combination.

Examples of the solid carrier include natural minerals, such as quartz, clay, kaolinite, pyrophyllite, sericite, talc, bentonite, acid clay, attapulgite, zeolite and diatomite; inorganic salts, such as calcium carbonate, ammonium sulfate, sodium sulfate and potassium chloride; organic solid carriers, such as synthetic silicic acid, synthetic silicates, starch, cellulose and plant powders (for example, sawdust, coconut shell, corn cob, tobacco stalk, etc.); plastics carriers, such as polyethylene, polypropylene and polyvinylidene chloride; urea; hollow inorganic materials; hollow plastic materials; and fumed silica (white carbon). One of these solid carriers may be used alone, and also two or more of them may be used in combination.

Examples of the liquid carrier include alcohols including monohydric alcohols, such as methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol and butanol, and polyhydric alcohols, such as ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, propylene glycol, hexylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol and glycerin; polyol compounds, such as propylene glycol ether; ketones, such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, diisobutyl ketone and cyclohexanone; ethers, such as ethyl ether, dioxane, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, dipropyl ether and tetrahydrofuran; aliphatic hydrocarbons, such as normal paraffin, naphthene, isoparaffin, kerosene and mineral oil; aromatic hydrocarbons, such as benzene, toluene, xylene, solvent naphtha and alkyl naphthalene; halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbons, such as dichloromethane, chloroform and carbon tetrachloride; esters, such as ethyl acetate, diisopropyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate, dioctyl phthalate and dimethyl adipate; lactones, such as γ-butyrolactone; amides, such as dimethylformamide, diethylformamide, dimethylacetamide and N-alkyl pyrrolidinone; nitriles, such as acetonitrile; sulfur compounds, such as dimethyl sulfoxide; vegetable oils, such as soybean oil, rapeseed oil, cotton seed oil and castor oil; and water. One of these liquid carriers may be used alone, and also two or more of them may be used in combination.

Exemplary surfactants used as the dispersant or the wetting/spreading agent include nonionic surfactants, such as sorbitan fatty acid ester, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester, sucrose fatty acid ester, polyoxyethylene fatty acid ester, polyoxyethylene resin acid ester, polyoxyethylene fatty acid diester, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether, polyoxyethylene alkyl aryl ether, polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ether, polyoxyethylene dialkyl phenyl ether, polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ether-formaldehyde condensates, polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymers, polystyrene-polyoxyethylene block polymers, alkyl polyoxyethylene-polypropylene block copolymer ether, polyoxyethylene alkylamine, polyoxyethylene fatty acid amide, polyoxyethylene fatty acid bis(phenyl ether), polyalkylene benzyl phenyl ether, polyoxyalkylene styryl phenyl ether, acetylene diol, polyoxyalkylene-added acetylene diol, polyoxyethylene ether-type silicone, ester-type silicone, fluorosurfactants, polyoxyethylene castor oil and polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil; anionic surfactants, such as alkyl sulfates, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfates, polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ether sulfates, polyoxyethylene styryl phenyl ether sulfates, alkylbenzene sulfonates, alkylaryl sulfonates, lignosulfonates, alkyl sulfosuccinates, naphthalene sulfonates, alkylnaphthalene sulfonates, salts of naphthalenesulfonic acid-formaldehyde condensates, salts of alkylnaphthalenesulfonic acid-formaldehyde condensates, fatty acid salts, polycarboxylic acid salts, polyacrylates, N-methyl-fatty acid sarcosinates, resinates, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphates and polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ether phosphates; cationic surfactants including alkyl amine salts, such as lauryl amine hydrochloride, stearyl amine hydrochloride, oleyl amine hydrochloride, stearyl amine acetate, stearyl aminopropyl amine acetate, alkyl trimethyl ammonium chloride and alkyl dimethyl benzalkonium chloride; and amphoteric surfactants, such as amino acid-type or betaine-type amphoteric surfactants. One of these surfactants may be used alone, and also two or more of them may be used in combination.

Examples of the binder or the tackifier include carboxymethyl cellulose or salts thereof, dextrin, soluble starch, xanthan gum, guar gum, sucrose, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, gum arabic, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, sodium polyacrylate, polyethylene glycols with an average molecular weight of 6,000 to 20,000, polyethylene oxides with an average molecular weight of 100,000 to 5,000,000, phospholipids (for example, cephalin, lecithin, etc.), cellulose powder, dextrin, modified starch, polyaminocarboxylic acid chelating compounds, cross-linked polyvinyl pyrrolidone, maleic acid-styrene copolymers, (meth)acrylic acid copolymers, half esters of polyhydric alcohol polymer and dicarboxylic anhydride, water soluble polystyrene sulfonates, paraffin, terpene, polyamide resins, polyacrylates, polyoxyethylene, waxes, polyvinyl alkyl ether, alkylphenol-formaldehyde condensates and synthetic resin emulsions.

Examples of the thickener include water soluble polymers, such as xanthan gum, guar gum, diutan gum, carboxymethyl cellulose, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, carboxyvinyl polymers, acrylic polymers, starch compounds and polysaccharides; and inorganic fine powders, such as high grade bentonite and fumed silica (white carbon).

Examples of the colorant include inorganic pigments, such as iron oxide, titanium oxide and Prussian blue; and organic dyes, such as alizarin dyes, azo dyes and metal phthalocyanine dyes.

Examples of the antifreezing agent include polyhydric alcohols, such as ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, propylene glycol and glycerin.

Examples of the adjuvant serving to prevent caking or facilitate disintegration include polysaccharides (starch, alginic acid, mannose, galactose, etc.), polyvinyl pyrrolidone, fumed silica (white carbon), ester gum, petroleum resin, sodium tripolyphosphate, sodium hexametaphosphate, metal stearates, cellulose powder, dextrin, methacrylate copolymers, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyaminocarboxylic acid chelating compounds, sulfonated styrene-isobutylene-maleic anhydride copolymers and starch-polyacrylonitrile graft copolymers.

Examples of the stabilizing agent include desiccants, such as zeolite, quicklime and magnesium oxide; antioxidants, such as phenolic compounds, amine compounds, sulfur compounds and phosphoric acid compounds; and ultraviolet absorbers, such as salicylic acid compounds and benzophenone compounds.

Examples of the preservative include potassium sorbate and 1,2-benzothiazolin-3-one.

Further, other adjuvants including functional spreading agents, activity enhancers such as metabolic inhibitors (piperonyl butoxide etc.), antifreezing agents (propylene glycol etc.), antioxidants (BHT etc.) and ultraviolet absorbers can also be used if needed.

The amount of the active ingredient compound in the agricultural or horticultural insecticide of the present invention can be adjusted as needed, and basically, the amount of the active ingredient compound is appropriately selected from the range of 0.01 to 90 parts by weight in 100 parts by weight of the agricultural or horticultural insecticide. For example, in the case where the agricultural or horticultural insecticide is in the form of a dust, a granule, an emulsifiable concentrate or a wettable powder, it is suitable that the amount of the active ingredient compound is 0.01 to 50 parts by weight (0.01 to 507, by weight relative to the total weight of the agricultural or horticultural insecticide).

The application rate of the agricultural or horticultural insecticide of the present invention may vary with various factors, for example, the purpose, the target pest, the growing conditions of crops, the tendency of pest infestation, the weather, the environmental conditions, the formulation, the application method, the application site, the application timing, etc., but basically, the application rate of the active ingredient compound is appropriately selected from the range of 0.001 g to 10 kg, preferably 0.01 g to 1 kg per 10 are depending on the purpose.

Furthermore, for the expansion of the range of target pests and the appropriate time for pest control, or for dose reduction, the agricultural or horticultural insecticide of the present invention can be used after mixed with other agricultural or horticultural insecticides, acaricides, nematicides, microbicides, biopesticides and/or the like. Further, the agricultural or horticultural insecticide can be used after mixed with herbicides, plant growth regulators, fertilizers and/or the like depending on the situation.

Exemplary additional agricultural or horticultural insecticides, acaricides and nematicides used for the above-mentioned purposes include 3,5-xylyl methylcarbamate (XMC), crystalline protein toxins produced by Bacillus thuringiensis such as Bacillus thuringiensis aizawai, Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis, Bacillus thuringiensis japonensis, Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki and Bacillus thuringiensis tenebrionis, BPMC, Bt toxin-derived insecticidal compounds, CPCBS (chlorfenson), DCIP (dichlorodiisopropyl ether), D-D (1,3-dichloropropene), DDT, NAC, O-4-dimethylsulfamoylphenyl O,O-diethyl phosphorothioate (DSP), O-ethyl O-4-nitrophenyl phenylphosphonothioate (EPN), tripropylisocyanurate (TPIC), acrinathrin, azadirachtin, azinphos-methyl, acequinocyl, acetamiprid, acetoprole, acephate, abamectin, avermectin-B, amidoflumet, amitraz, alanycarb, aldicarb, aldoxycarb, aldrin, alpha-endosulfan, alpha-cypermethrin, albendazole, allethrin, isazofos, isamidofos, isoamidofos isoxathion, isofenphos, isoprocarb (MIPC), ivermectin, imicyafos, imidacloprid, imiprothrin, indoxacarb, esfenvalerate, ethiofencarb, ethion, ethiprole, etoxazole, ethofenprox, ethoprophos, etrimfos, emamectin, emamectin-benzoate, endosulfan, empenthrin, oxamyl, oxydemeton-methyl, oxydeprofos (ESP), oxibendazole, oxfendazole, potassium oleate, sodium oleate, cadusafos, cartap, carbaryl, carbosulfan, carbofuran, gamma-cyhalothrin, xylylcarb, quinalphos, kinoprene, chinomethionat, cloethocarb, clothianidin, clofentezine, chromafenozide, chlorantraniliprole, chlorethoxyfos, chlordimeform, chlordane, chlorpyrifos, chlorpyrifos-methyl, chlorphenapyr, chlorfenson, chlorfenvinphos, chlorfluazuron, chlorobenzilate, chlorobenzoate, kelthane (dicofol), salithion, cyanophos (CYAP), diafenthiuron, diamidafos, cyantraniliprole, theta-cypermethrin, dienochlor, cyenopyrafen, dioxabenzofos, diofenolan, sigma-cypermethrin, dichlofenthion (ECP), cycloprothrin, dichlorvos (DDVP), disulfoton, dinotefuran, cyhalothrin, cyphenothrin, cyfluthrin, diflubenzuron, cyflumetofen, diflovidazin, cyhexatin, cypermethrin, dimethylvinphos, dimethoate, dimefluthrin, silafluofen, cyromazine, spinetoram, spinosad, spirodiclofen, spirotetramat, spiromesifen, sulfluramid, sulprofos, sulfoxaflor, zeta-cypermethrin, diazinon, tau-fluvalinate, dazomet, thiacloprid, thiamethoxam, thiodicarb, thiocyclam, thiosultap, thiosultap-sodium, thionazin, thiometon, deet, dieldrin, tetrachlorvinphos, tetradifon, tetramethylfluthrin, tetramethrin, tebupirimfos, tebufenozide, tebufenpyrad, tefluthrin, teflubenzuron, demeton-S-methyl, temephos, deltamethrin, terbufos, tralopyril, tralomethrin, transfluthrin, triazamate, triazuron, trichlamide, trichlorphon (DEP), triflumuron, tolfenpyrad, naled (BRP), nithiazine, nitenpyram, novaluron, noviflumuron, hydroprene, vaniliprole, vamidothion, parathion, parathion-methyl, halfenprox, halofenozide, bistrifluron, bisultap, hydramethylnon, hydroxy propyl starch, binapacryl, bifenazate, bifenthrin, pymetrozine, pyraclofos, pyrafluprole, pyridafenthion, pyridaben, pyridalyl, pyrifluquinazon, pyriprole, pyriproxyfen, pirimicarb, pyrimidifen, pirimiphos-methyl, pyrethrins, fipronil, fenazaquin, fenamiphos, bromopropylate, fenitrothion (MEP), fenoxycarb, fenothiocarb, phenothrin, fenobucarb, fensulfothion, fenthion (MPP), phenthoate (PAP), fenvalerate, fenpyroximate, fenpropathrin, fenbendazole, fosthiazate, formetanate, butathiofos, buprofezin, furathiocarb, prallethrin, fluacrypyrim, fluazinam, fluazuron, fluensulfone, flucycloxuron, flucythrinate, fluvalinate, flupyrazofos, flufenerim, flufenoxuron, flufenzine, flufenprox, fluproxyfen, flubrocythrinate, flubendiamide, flumethrin, flurimfen, prothiofos, protrifenbute, flonicamid, propaphos, propargite (BPPS), profenofos, profluthrin, propoxur (PHC), bromopropylate, beta-cyfluthrin, hexaflumuron, hexythiazox, heptenophos, permethrin, benclothiaz, bendiocarb, bensultap, benzoximate, benfuracarb, phoxim, phosalone, fosthietan, phosphamidon, phosphocarb, phosmet (PMP), polynactins, formothion, phorate, machine oil, malathion, milbemycin, milbemycin-A, milbemectin, mecarbam, mesulfenfos, methomyl, metaldehyde, metaflumizone, methamidophos, metam-ammonium, metam-sodium, methiocarb, methidathion (DMTP), methylisothiocyanate, methylneodecanamide, methylparathion, metoxadiazone, methoxychlor, methoxyfenozide, metofluthrin, methoprene, metolcarb, meperfluthrin, mevinphos, monocrotophos, monosultap, lambda-cyhalothrin, ryanodine, lufenuron, resmethrin, lepimectin, rotenone, levamisole hydrochloride, fenbutatin oxide, morantel tartarate, methyl bromide, tricyclohexyltin hydroxide (cyhexatin), calcium cyanamide, calcium polysulfide, sulfur and nicotine-sulfate.

Exemplary agricultural or horticultural microbicides used for the same purposes as above include aureofungin, azaconazole, azithiram, acypetacs, acibenzolar, acibenzolar-S-methyl, azoxystrobin, anilazine, amisulbrom, ampropylfos, ametoctradin, allyl alcohol, aldimorph, amobam, isotianil, isovaledione, isopyrazam, isoprothiolane, ipconazole, iprodione, iprovalicarb, iprobenfos, imazalil, iminoctadine, iminoctadine-albesilate, iminoctadine-triacetate, imibenconazole, uniconazole, uniconazole-P, echlomezole, edifenphos, etaconazole, ethaboxam, ethirimol, etem, ethoxyquin, etridiazole, enestroburin, epoxiconazole, oxadixyl, oxycarboxin, copper-8-quinolinolate, oxytetracycline, copper-oxinate, oxpoconazole, oxpoconazole-fumarate, oxolinic acid, octhilinone, ofurace, orysastrobin, metam-sodium, kasugamycin, carbamorph, carpropamid, carbendazim, carboxin, carvone, quinazamid, quinacetol, quinoxyfen, quinomethionate, captafol, captan, kiralaxyl, quinconazole, quintozene, guazatine, cufraneb, cuprobam, glyodin, griseofulvin, climbazole, cresol, kresoxim-methyl, chlozolinate, clotrimazole, chlobenthiazone, chloraniformethan, chloranil, chlorquinox, chloropicrin, chlorfenazole, chlorodinitronaphthalene, chlorothalonil, chloroneb, zarilamid, salicylanilide, cyazofamid, diethyl pyrocarbonate, diethofencarb, cyclafuramid, diclocymet, dichlozoline, diclobutrazol, dichlofluanid, cycloheximide, diclomezine, dicloran, dichlorophen, dichlone, disulfiram, ditalimfos, dithianon, diniconazole, diniconazole-M, zineb, dinocap, dinocton, dinosulfon, dinoterbon, dinobuton, dinopenton, dipyrithione, diphenylamine, difenoconazole, cyflufenamid, diflumetorim, cyproconazole, cyprodinil, cyprofuram, cypendazole, simeconazole, dimethirimol, dimethomorph, cymoxanil, dimoxystrobin, methyl bromide, ziram, silthiofam, streptomycin, spiroxamine, sultropen, sedaxane, zoxamide, dazomet, thiadiazin, tiadinil, thiadifluor, thiabendazole, tioxymid, thiochlorfenphim, thiophanate, thiophanate-methyl, thicyofen, thioquinox, chinomethionat, thifluzamide, thiram, decafentin, tecnazene, tecloftalam, tecoram, tetraconazole, debacarb, dehydroacetic acid, tebuconazole, tebufloquin, dodicin, dodine, dodecyl benzensulfonate bis-ethylene diamine copper(II) (DBEDC), dodemorph, drazoxolon, triadimenol, triadimefon, triazbutil, triazoxide, triamiphos, triarimol, trichlamide, tricyclazole, triticonazole, tridemorph, tributyltin oxide, triflumizole, trifloxystrobin, triforine, tolylfluanid, tolclofos-methyl, natamycin, nabam, nitrothal-isopropyl, nitrostyrene, nuarimol, copper nonylphenol sulfonate, halacrinate, validamycin, valifenalate, harpin protein, bixafen, picoxystrobin, picobenzamide, bithionol, bitertanol, hydroxyisoxazole, hydroxyisoxazole-potassium, binapacryl, biphenyl, piperalin, hymexazol, pyraoxystrobin, pyracarbolid, pyraclostrobin, pyrazophos, pyrametostrobin, pyriofenone, pyridinitril, pyrifenox, pyribencarb, pyrimethanil, pyroxychlor, pyroxyfur, pyroquilon, vinclozolin, famoxadone, fenapanil, fenamidone, fenaminosulf, fenarimol, fenitropan, fenoxanil, ferimzone, ferbam, fentin, fenpiclonil, fenpyrazamine, fenbuconazole, fenfuram, fenpropidin, fenpropimorph, fenhexamid, phthalide, buthiobate, butylamine, bupirimate, fuberidazole, blasticidin-S, furametpyr, furalaxyl, fluacrypyrim, fluazinam, fluoxastrobin, fluotrimazole, fluopicolide, fluopyram, fluoroimide, furcarbanil, fluxapyroxad, fluquinconazole, furconazole, furconazole-cis, fludioxonil, flusilazole, flusulfamide, flutianil, flutolanil, flutriafol, furfural, furmecyclox, flumetover, flumorph, proquinazid, prochloraz, procymidone, prothiocarb, prothioconazole, propamocarb, propiconazole, propineb, furophanate, probenazole, bromuconazole, hexachlorobutadiene, hexaconazole, hexylthiofos, bethoxazin, benalaxyl, benalaxyl-M, benodanil, benomyl, pefurazoate, benquinox, penconazole, benzamorf, pencycuron, benzohydroxamic acid, bentaluron, benthiazole, benthiavalicarb-isopropyl, penthiopyrad, penflufen, boscalid, phosdiphen, fosetyl, fosetyl-Al, polyoxins, polyoxorim, polycarbamate, folpet, formaldehyde, machine oil, maneb, mancozeb, mandipropamid, myclozolin, myclobutanil, mildiomycin, milneb, mecarbinzid, methasulfocarb, metazoxolon, metam, metam-sodium, metalaxyl, metalaxyl-M, metiram, methyl isothiocyanate, meptyldinocap, metconazole, metsulfovax, methfuroxam, metominostrobin, metrafenone, mepanipyrim, mefenoxam, meptyldinocap, mepronil, mebenil, iodomethane, rabenzazole, benzalkonium chloride, basic copper chloride, basic copper sulfate, inorganic microbicides such as silver, sodium hypochlorite, cupric hydroxide, wettable sulfur, calcium polysulfide, potassium hydrogen carbonate, sodium hydrogen carbonate, sulfur, copper sulfate anhydride, nickel dimethyldithiocarbamate, copper compounds such as copper-8-quinolinolate (oxine copper), zinc sulfate and copper sulfate pentahydrate.

Exemplary herbicides used for the same purposes as above include 1-naphthylacetamide, 2,4-PA, 2,3,6-TBA, 2,4,5-T, 2,4,5-TB, 2,4-D, 2,4-DB, 2,4-DEB, 2,4-DEP, 3,4-DA, 3,4-DB, 3,4-DP, 4-CPA, 4-CPB, 4-CPP, MCP, MCPA, MCPA-thioethyl, MCPB, ioxynil, aclonifen, azafenidin, acifluorfen, aziprotryne, azimsulfuron, asulam, acetochlor, atrazine, atraton, anisuron, anilofos, aviglycine, abscisic acid, amicarbazone, amidosulfuron, amitrole, aminocyclopyrachlor, aminopyralid, amibuzin, amiprophos-methyl, ametridione, ametryn, alachlor, allidochlor, alloxydim, alorac, isouron, isocarbamid, isoxachlortole, isoxapyrifop, isoxaflutole, isoxaben, isocil, isonoruron, isoproturon, isopropalin, isopolinate, isomethiozin, inabenfide, ipazine, ipfencarbazone, iprymidam, imazaquin, imazapic, imazapyr, imazamethapyr, imazamethabenz, imazamethabenz-methyl, imazamox, imazethapyr, imazosulfuron, indaziflam, indanofan, indolebutyric acid, uniconazole-P, eglinazine, esprocarb, ethametsulfuron, ethametsulfuron-methyl, ethalfluralin, ethiolate, ethychlozate-ethyl, ethidimuron, etinofen, ethephon, ethoxysulfuron, ethoxyfen, etnipromid, ethofumesate, etobenzanid, epronaz, erbon, endothal, oxadiazon, oxadiargyl, oxaziclomefone, oxasulfuron, oxapyrazon, oxyfluorfen, oryzalin, orthosulfamuron, orbencarb, cafenstrole, cambendichlor, carbasulam, carfentrazone, carfentrazone-ethyl, karbutilate, carbetamide, carboxazole, quizalofop, quizalofop-P, quizalofop-ethyl, xylachlor, quinoclamine, quinonamid, quinclorac, quinmerac, cumyluron, cliodinate, glyphosate, glufosinate, glufosinate-P, credazine, clethodim, cloxyfonac, clodinafop, clodinafop-propargyl, chlorotoluron, clopyralid, cloproxydim, cloprop, chlorbromuron, clofop, clomazone, chlomethoxynil, chlomethoxyfen, clomeprop, chlorazifop, chlorazine, cloransulam, chloranocryl, chloramben, cloransulam-methyl, chloridazon, chlorimuron, chlorimuron-ethyl, chlorsulfuron, chlorthal, chlorthiamid, chlortoluron, chlornitrofen, chlorfenac, chlorfenprop, chlorbufam, chlorflurazole, chlorflurenol, chlorprocarb, chlorpropham, chlormequat, chloreturon, chloroxynil, chloroxuron, chloropon, saflufenacil, cyanazine, cyanatryn, di-allate, diuron, diethamquat, dicamba, cycluron, cycloate, cycloxydim, diclosulam, cyclosulfamuron, dichlorprop, dichlorprop-P, dichlobenil, diclofop, diclofop-methyl, dichlormate, dichloralurea, diquat, cisanilide, disul, siduron, dithiopyr, dinitramine, cinidon-ethyl, dinosam, cinosulfuron, dinoseb, dinoterb, dinofenate, dinoprop, cyhalofop-butyl, diphenamid, difenoxuron, difenopenten, difenzoquat, cybutryne, cyprazine, cyprazole, diflufenican, diflufenzopyr, dipropetryn, cypromid, cyperquat, gibberellin, simazine, dimexano, dimethachlor, dimidazon, dimethametryn, dimethenamid, simetryn, simeton, dimepiperate, dimefuron, cinmethylin, swep, sulglycapin, sulcotrione, sulfallate, sulfentrazone, sulfosulfuron, sulfometuron, sulfometuron-methyl, secbumeton, sethoxydim, sebuthylazine, terbacil, daimuron, dazomet, dalapon, thiazafluron, thiazopyr, thiencarbazone, thiencarbazone-methyl, tiocarbazil, tioclorim, thiobencarb, thidiazimin, thidiazuron, thifensulfuron, thifensulfuron-methyl, desmedipham, desmetryn, tetrafluron, thenylchlor, tebutam, tebuthiuron, terbumeton, tepraloxydim, tefuryltrione, tembotrione, delachlor, terbacil, terbucarb, terbuchlor, terbuthylazine, terbutryn, topramezone, tralkoxydim, triaziflam, triasulfuron, tri-allate, trietazine, tricamba, triclopyr, tridiphane, tritac, tritosulfuron, triflusulfuron, triflusulfuron-methyl, trifluralin, trifloxysulfuron, tripropindan, tribenuron-methyl, tribenuron, trifop, trifopsime, trimeturon, naptalam, naproanilide, napropamide, nicosulfuron, nitralin, nitrofen, nitrofluorfen, nipyraclofen, neburon, norflurazon, noruron, barban, paclobutrazol, paraquat, parafluron, haloxydine, haloxyfop, haloxyfop-P, haloxyfop-methyl, halosafen, halosulfuron, halosulfuron-methyl, picloram, picolinafen, bicyclopyrone, bispyribac, bispyribac-sodium, pydanon, pinoxaden, bifenox, piperophos, hymexazol, pyraclonil, pyrasulfotole, pyrazoxyfen, pyrazosulfuron, pyrazosulfuron-ethyl, pyrazolate, bilanafos, pyraflufen-ethyl, pyriclor, pyridafol, pyrithiobac, pyrithiobac-sodium, pyridate, pyriftalid, pyributicarb, pyribenzoxim, pyrimisulfan, primisulfuron, pyriminobac-methyl, pyroxasulfone, pyroxsulam, fenasulam, phenisopham, fenuron, fenoxasulfone, fenoxaprop, fenoxaprop-P, fenoxaprop-ethyl, phenothiol, fenoprop, phenobenzuron, fenthiaprop, fenteracol, fentrazamide, phenmedipham, phenmedipham-ethyl, butachlor, butafenacil, butamifos, buthiuron, buthidazole, butylate, buturon, butenachlor, butroxydim, butralin, flazasulfuron, flamprop, furyloxyfen, prynachlor, primisulfuron-methyl, fluazifop, fluazifop-P, fluazifop-butyl, fluazolate, fluroxypyr, fluothiuron, fluometuron, fluoroglycofen, flurochloridone, fluorodifen, fluoronitrofen, fluoromidine, flucarbazone, flucarbazone-sodium, fluchloralin, flucetosulfuron, fluthiacet, fluthiacet-methyl, flupyrsulfuron, flufenacet, flufenican, flufenpyr, flupropacil, flupropanate, flupoxam, flumioxazin, flumiclorac, flumiclorac-pentyl, flumipropyn, flumezin, fluometuron, flumetsulam, fluridone, flurtamone, fluroxypyr, pretilachlor, proxan, proglinazine, procyazine, prodiamine, prosulfalin, prosulfuron, prosulfocarb, propaquizafop, propachlor, propazine, propanil, propyzamide, propisochlor, prohydrojasmon, propyrisulfuron, propham, profluazol, profluralin, prohexadione-calcium, propoxycarbazone, propoxycarbazone-sodium, profoxydim, bromacil, brompyrazon, prometryn, prometon, bromoxynil, bromofenoxim, bromobutide, bromobonil, florasulam, hexachloroacetone, hexazinone, pethoxamid, benazolin, penoxsulam, pebulate, beflubutamid, vernolate, perfluidone, bencarbazone, benzadox, benzipram, benzylaminopurine, benzthiazuron, benzfendizone, bensulide, bensulfuron-methyl, benzoylprop, benzobicyclon, benzofenap, benzofluor, bentazone, pentanochlor, benthiocarb, pendimethalin, pentoxazone, benfluralin, benfuresate, fosamine, fomesafen, foramsulfuron, forchlorfenuron, maleic hydrazide, mecoprop, mecoprop-P, medinoterb, mesosulfuron, mesosulfuron-methyl, mesotrione, mesoprazine, methoprotryne, metazachlor, methazole, metazosulfuron, methabenzthiazuron, metamitron, metamifop, metam, methalpropalin, methiuron, methiozolin, methiobencarb, methyldymron, metoxuron, metosulam, metsulfuron, metsulfuron-methyl, metflurazon, metobromuron, metobenzuron, methometon, metolachlor, metribuzin, mepiquat-chloride, mefenacet, mefluidide, monalide, monisouron, monuron, monochloroacetic acid, monolinuron, molinate, morfamquat, iodosulfuron, iodosulfuron-methyl-sodium, iodobonil, iodomethane, lactofen, linuron, rimsulfuron, lenacil, rhodethanil, calcium peroxide and methyl bromide.

Exemplary biopesticides used for the same purposes as above include viral formulations such as nuclear polyhedrosis viruses (NPV), granulosis viruses (GV), cytoplasmic polyhedrosis viruses (CPV) andentomopox viruses (EPV); microbial pesticides used as an insecticide or a nematicide, such as Monacrosporium phymatophagum, Steinernema carpocapsae, Steinernema kushidai and Pasteuria penetrans; microbial pesticides used as a microbicide, such as Trichoderma lignorum, Agrobacterium radiobactor, avirulent Erwinia carotovora and Bacillus subtilis; and biopesticides used as a herbicide, such as Xanthomonas campestris. A combined use of the agricultural or horticultural insecticide of the present invention with the foregoing biopesticide as a mixture can provide the same effect as above.

Other examples of the biopesticide used in combination with the agricultural or horticultural insecticide of the present invention include natural predators such as Encarsia formosa, Aphidius colemani, Aphidoletes aphidimyza, Diglyphus isaea, Dacnusa sibirica, Phytoseiulus persimilis, Amblyseius cucumeris and Orius sauteri; microbial pesticides such as Beauveria brongniartii; and pheromones such as (Z)-10-tetradecenyl acetate, (E,Z)-4,10-tetradecadienyl acetate, (Z)-8-dodecenyl acetate, (Z)-11-tetradecenyl acetate, (Z)-13-icosen-10-one and 14-methyl-1-octadecene.

The imidazopyridazine compound having a substituted cyclopropane-oxadiazole group represented by the general formula (1) of the present invention or a salt thereof is also suitable for the disinfection of parasites that live in the interior of or on the exterior of animals such as humans, domestic animals and pets. The animal may be a non-human animal.

The present invention also includes an animal ectoparasite or endoparasite control agent comprising the compound of the present invention or a salt thereof as an active ingredient; and a method for controlling animal ectoparasites or endoparasites, comprising treating animal ectoparasites or endoparasites with the animal ectoparasite or endoparasite control agent. The compound of the present invention can be used by spot-on or pour-on application usually to one site or two sites on the skin of an animal such as a cat or a dog. The application area is usually 5 to 10 cm². Once applied, the compound of the present invention preferably diffuses throughout the animal's body and then dries without crystallization or changes in visual appearance or texture. The amount of the compound used is in the range of about 0.1 to 10 mL, which depends on the weight of the animal. In particular, the amount of the compound used is preferably about 0.5 to 1 mL for a cat and about 0.3 to 3 mL for a dog.

The ectoparasite or endoparasite control agent of the present invention is effective against, for example, the following animal ectoparasites or endoparasites. Siphonaptera parasites include the species of the genus Pulex such as Pulex irritans; the species of the genus Ctenocephalides such as Ctenocephalides felis and Ctenocephalides canis; the species of the genus Xenopsylla such as Xenopsylla cheopis; the species of the genus Tunga such as Tunga penetrans; the species of the genus Echidnophaga such as Echidnophaga gallinacea; and the species of the genus Nosopsyllus such as Nosopsyllus fasciatus.

Siphunculata parasites include the species of the genus Pediculus such as Pediculus humanus capitis; the species of the genus Pthirus such as Pthirus pubis; the species of the genus Haematopinus such as Haematopinus eurysternus and Haematopinus suis; the species of the genus Damalinia such as Damalinia ovis and Damalinia bovis; the species of the genus Linognathus such as Linognathus vituli and Linognathus ovillus (parasitic on the trunk of a sheep's body); and the species of the genus Solenopotes such as Solenopotes capillatus.

Mallophaga parasites include the species of the genus Menopon such as Menopon gallinae; Trimenopon spp.; Trinoton spp.; the species of the genus Trichodectes such as Trichodectes canis; the species of the genus Felicola such as Felicola subrostratus; the species of the genus Bovicola such as Bovicola bovis; the species of the genus Menacanthus such as Menacanthus stramineus; Werneckiella spp.; and Lepikentron spp.

Hemiptera parasites include the species of the genus Cimex such as Cimex lectularius and Cimex hemipterus; the species of the genus Reduvius such as Reduvius senilis; the species of the genus Arilus such as Arilus critatus; the species of the genus Rhodnius such as Rhodnius prolixus; the species of the genus Triatoma such as Triatoma rubrofasciata; and Panstrongylus spp.

Acarina parasites include the species of the genus Amblyomma such as Amblyomma americanum and Amblyomma maculatum; the species of the genus Boophilus such as Boophilus microplus and Boophilus annulatus; the species of the genus Dermacentor such as Dermacentor variabilis, Dermacentor taiwanensis and Dermacentor andersoni; the species of the genus Haemaphysalis such as Haemaphysalis longicornis, Haemaphysalis flava and Haemaphysalis campanulata; the species of the genus Ixodes such as Ixodes ovatus, Ixodes persulcatus, Ixodes scapularis, Ixodes pacificus and Ixodes holocyclus; the species of the genus Rhipicephalus such as Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Rhipicephalus appendiculatus; the species of the genus Argas such as Argas persicus; the species of the genus Ornithodoros such as Ornithodoros hernsi and Ornithodoros turicata; the species of the genus Psoroptes such as Psoroptes ovis and Psoroptes equi; the species of the genus Knemidocoptes such as Knemidocoptes mutans; the species of the genus Notoedres such as Notoedres cati and Notoedres muris; the species of the genus Sarcoptes such as Sarcoptes scabiei; the species of the genus Otodectes such as Otodectes cynotis; the species of the genus Listrophorus such as Listrophorus gibbus; Chorioptes spp.; Hypodectes spp.; Pterolichus spp.; Cytodites spp.; Laminosioptes spp.; the species of the genus Dermanyssus such as Dermanyssus gallinae; the species of the genus Ornithonyssus such as Ornithonyssus sylviarum and Ornithonyssus bacoti; the species of the genus Varroa such as Varroa jacobsoni; the species of the genus Cheyletiella such as Cheyletiella yasguri and Cheyletiella blakei; Ornithocheyletia spp.; the species of the genus Demodex such as Demodex canis and Demodex cati; Myobia spp.; Psorergates spp.; and the species of the genus Trombicula such as Trombicula akamushi, Trombicula pallida and Trombicula scutellaris. Preferred are Siphonaptera parasites, Siphunculata parasites and Acarina parasites.

The animals to which the ectoparasite or endoparasite control agent of the present invention is administrable can be host animals for the above-mentioned animal ectoparasites or endoparasites. Such animals are usually homeotherms and poikilotherms which are bred as domestic animals or pets. Such homeotherms include mammals such as cattle, buffalos, sheep, goats, pigs, camels, deer, fallow deer, reindeer, horses, donkeys, dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, mice, rats, hamsters, squirrels and monkeys; fur-bearing animals such as minks, chinchillas and raccoons; and birds such as chickens, geese, turkeys, domestic ducks, pigeons, parrots and quails. The above-mentioned poikilotherms include reptiles such as tortoises, sea turtles, pond sliders, Japanese pond turtles, lizards, iguanas, chameleons, geckos, pythons, colubrid snakes and cobras. Preferred are homeotherms, and more preferred are mammals such as dogs, cats, cattle, horses, pigs, sheep and goats.

Since the control agent of the present invention is unlikely to damage or impact natural predators and useful insects (hereinafter also referred to as nontarget organisms), two or more insect pest control methods etc. can be rationally combined for use.

Examples of the nontarget organism include natural predators such as Phytoseiulus persimilis, Neoseiulus californicus, Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot, Neoseiulus womersleyi, and Typhlodromus vulgaris; and useful insects such as honey bees, western honey bees (Apis mellifera), bumblebees, buff-tailed bumblebees (Bombus terrestris), horned-face bees (Osmia cornifrons), and domestic silkmoths (Bombyx mori).

Hereinafter, the production example of a representative compound of the present invention and its intermediate will be described in more detail, but the present invention is not limited only to this example.

EXAMPLES Production Example 1 Production of 3-(5-(ethylsulfonyl)-6-(3-methyl-6-pentafluoroethyl-3[ ]-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridazin-2-yl)pyridin-3-yl)-5-(1-trifluoromethyl cyclopropyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazole (Compound No. 1-2) [Chem. 4]

N′-hydroxy-6-(3-methyl-6-pentafluoroethyl-3H-imidazo[4, 5-c]pyridazin-2-yl)-5-(ethylsulfonyl)pyridine-3-carboxamidine (0.15 g), which was synthesized by the method described in WO 2017/065183, was dissolved in THE (tetrahydrofuran, 3 mL), and triethylamine (0.10 g) and 1-trifluoromethylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid chloride (0.067 g) were added. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 hour. The reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo. The residue was dissolved in acetic acid (1 mL), and then the acetic acid solution was dissolved in toluene (2 mL). The mixture was stirred at 120° C. for 1 hour. A saturated aqueous sodium carbonate solution was added, and ethyl acetate extraction was performed. The organic layer was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and then concentrated in vacuo. The resulting crude product was purified by column chromatography to give the desired product (0.045 g, 24-).

Physical property: Melting point: 158 to 159° C.

Hereinafter, formulation examples are shown, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In the formulation examples, “part” means part by weight.

Formulation Example 1

Compound of the present invention 10 parts Xylene 70 parts N-methylpyrrolidone 10 parts Mixture of polyoxyethylene nonylphenyl ether 10 parts and calcium alkylbenzene sulfonate (weight ratio of 1:1)

The above ingredients were uniformly mixed for dissolution to give an emulsifiable concentrate formulation.

Formulation Example 2

Compound of the present invention 3 parts Clay powder 82 parts Diatomite powder 15 parts

The above ingredients were uniformly mixed and then pulverized to give a dust formulation.

Formulation Example 3

Compound of the present invention 5 parts Mixture of bentonite powder and clay powder 90 parts Calcium lignosulfonate 5 parts

The above ingredients were uniformly mixed. After addition of an appropriate volume of water, the mixture is kneaded, granulated and dried to give a granular formulation.

Formulation Example 4

Compound of the present invention 20 parts Kaolin and synthetic high-dispersion silicic acid 75 parts Mixture of polyoxyethylene nonylphenyl ether 5 parts and calcium alkylbenzene sulfonate (weight ratio of 1:1)

The above ingredients were uniformly mixed and then pulverized to give a wettable powder formulation.

Formulation Example 5

Compound of the present invention 20 parts Polyoxyethylene lauryl ether 3 parts Sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate 3.5 parts Dimethyl sulfoxide 37 parts 2-Propanol 36.5 parts

The above ingredients were uniformly mixed for dissolution to give a water-miscible liquid preparation.

Formulation Example 6

Compound of the present invention 2 parts Dimethyl sulfoxide 10 parts 2-Propanol 35 parts Acetone 53 parts

The above ingredients were uniformly mixed for dissolution to give a solution for spraying.

Formulation Example 7

Compound of the present invention 5 parts Hexylene glycol 50 parts Isopropanol 45 parts

The above ingredients were uniformly mixed for dissolution to give a solution for transdermal administration.

Formulation Example 8

Compound of the present invention 5 parts Propylene glycol monomethyl ether 50 parts Dipropylene glycol 45 parts

The above ingredients were uniformly mixed for dissolution to give a solution for transdermal administration.

Formulation Example 9

Compound of the present invention 2 parts Light liquid paraffin 98 parts

The above ingredients were uniformly mixed for dissolution to give a solution for transdermal (pour-on) administration.

Formulation Example 10

Compound of the present invention 2 parts Light liquid paraffin 58 parts Olive oil 30 parts Medium-chain fatty acid triglyceride (ODO-H: 9 parts manufactured by Nisshin OilliO Group, Ltd.) Silicone-based defoamer (trade name: 1 part Shin-etsu silicone, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.)

The above ingredients were uniformly mixed for dissolution to give a solution for transdermal (pour-on) administration.

Test examples in connection with the present invention are shown below, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

Test Example 1

Test for Control Efficacy on Myzus persicae

Chinese cabbage plants were planted in plastic pots (diameter: 8 cm, height: 8 cm), Green peach aphids (M. persicae) were propagated on the plants, and the number of surviving Green peach aphids in each pot was counted. The compounds of the general formula (1) of the present invention were separately formulated according to Formulation Example 1, dispersed in water, and diluted to 500 ppm. The agrochemical dispersions were applied to the foliage of the potted Chinese cabbage plants. After the plants were air-dried, the pots were kept in a greenhouse. At 6 days after the foliar application, the number of surviving Green peach aphids on the Chinese cabbage plant in each pot was counted, the control rate was calculated according to the formula shown below, and the control efficacy was evaluated according to the criteria shown below.

Control rate=100−{(T×Ca)/(Ta×C)}×100  [Math. 1]

Ta: the number of survivors before the foliar application in a treatment plot T: the number of survivors after the foliar application in a treatment plot Ca: the number of survivors before the foliar application in a non-treatment plot C: the number of survivors after the foliar application in a non-treatment plot

Criteria

A: the control rate is 100%. B: the control rate is 90 to 99%. C: the control rate is 80 to 89%. D: the control rate is 50 to 79%.

As a result, the compounds 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, and 1-4 of the present invention showed the activity level evaluated as A.

Test Example 2

Insecticidal Test on Laodelphax striatellus

The compounds of the general formula (1) of the present invention were separately formulated according to Formulation Example 1, dispersed in water, and diluted to 500 ppm. Rice plant seedlings (variety: Nihonbare) were dipped in the agrochemical dispersions for 30 seconds. After air-dried, each seedling was put into a separate glass test tube and inoculated with ten 3rd-instar larvae of L. striatellus, and then the glass test tubes were capped with cotton plugs. At 8 days after the inoculation, the numbers of surviving larvae and dead larvae were counted, the corrected mortality rate was calculated according to the formula shown below, and the insecticidal efficacy was evaluated according to the criteria of Test Example 1.

Corrected mortality rate (%)=100×(Survival rate in a non-treatment plot−Survival rate in a treatment plot)/Survival rate in a non-treatment plot  [Math. 2]

As a result, the compounds 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, and 1-4 of the present invention showed the activity level evaluated as A.

Test Example 3

Insecticidal Test on Plutella xylostella

Adults of P. xylostella were released onto Chinese cabbage seedlings and allowed to lay eggs thereon. At 2 days after the release of the adults, the Chinese cabbage seedlings with laid eggs were dipped for about 30 seconds in agrochemical formulations diluted to 500 ppm, each of which was prepared according to Formulation Example 1 and contained a different compound of the general formula (1) of the present invention as an active ingredient. After air-dried, the seedlings were kept in a thermostatic chamber at 25° C. At 6 days after the dip treatment, the number of hatched larvae per plot was counted, the mortality rate was calculated according to the formula shown below, and the insecticidal efficacy was evaluated according to the criteria of Test Example 1. This test was conducted in triplicate using 10 adults of P. xylostella per plot.

Corrected mortality rate (%)=100×(Number of hatched larvae in a non-treatment plot−Number of hatched larvae in a treatment plot)/Number of hatched larvae in a non-treatment plot  [Math. 3]

As a result, the compounds 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, and 1-4 of the present invention showed the activity level evaluated as A.

Test Example 4

Larval Motility Assay on Haemonchus contortus

DMSO diluted solutions of various compounds of the present invention were added at the final concentration of 50 ppm to the wells of a 96-well plate containing a predetermined conditioned medium. Twenty L1 stage larvae of H. contortus were introduced into each well of the 96-well plate. The plate was allowed to stand for 4 days, and then larval motility was examined. The percent motility inhibition in the wells of each treatment was calculated relative to the wells of treatment with DMSO only.

As a result, the compounds 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, and 1-4 of the present invention showed a percent motility inhibition of 50% or more.

Test Example 5

Larval Motility Assay on Dirofilaria immitis

Five hundred L1 stage larvae of D. immitis were diluted in a predetermined conditioned medium and introduced into each well of a 96-well plate. DMSO diluted solutions of various compounds of the present invention were added at the final concentration of 50 ppm to the wells of the 96-well plate. The plate was allowed to stand for 3 days, and then larval motility was examined. The percent motility inhibition in the wells of each treatment was calculated relative to the wells of treatment with DMSO only.

As a result, the compounds 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, and 1-4 of the present invention showed a percent motility inhibition of 50, or more.

Test Example 6

Assay for Oral Parasiticidal Activity Against Adults of Ctenocephalides felis

Newly-emerged adults of C. felis were placed into test cages (10 adults per test cage). DMSO diluted solutions of various compounds of the present invention were added to aliquots of bovine blood at the final concentration of 50 ppm and orally administered to the adults of C. felis using a feeder. The mortality rate was examined on the following day. Aberrant adults were regarded as the dead.

As a result, the compounds 1-1 and 1-2 of the present invention showed parasiticidal activity with a mortality rate of 502 or more.

Test Example 7

Assay for Transdermal Parasiticidal Activity Against Nymphs of Rhipicephalus sanguineus

DMSO diluted solutions of various compounds of the present invention were individually diluted to the final concentration of 100 ppm with an acetone/triton mixture and applied to the inside of vented sample bottles. After overnight drying, ten nymphs of R. sanguineus were introduced into each bottle, and the mortality rate was examined two days later. Aberrant adults were regarded as the dead.

As a result, the compounds 1-2 and 1-3 of the present invention showed parasiticidal activity with a mortality rate of 50′, or more.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The compound of the present invention is highly effective in controlling a wide range of agricultural or horticultural pests and animal endoparasites and ectoparasites and thus is useful. 

1. An imidazopyridazine compound having a substituted cyclopropane-oxadiazole group represented by the general formula (1):

wherein R¹, R^(2a), and R^(2b) may be the same or different and each represent (a1) a hydrogen atom; (a2) a cyano group; (a3) a (C₁-C₆) alkyl group; (a4) a halo (C₁-C₆) alkyl group; or (a5) a phenyl group, except for a case where R¹, R^(2a), and R^(2b) are all hydrogen atoms, and R³ represents (b1) a halo (C₁-C₆) alkyl group; (b2) a halo (C₁-C₆) alkoxy group; (b3) a halo (C₁-C₆) alkylthio group; (b4) a halo (C₁-C₆) alkylsulfinyl group; or (b5) a halo (C₁-C₆) alkylsulfonyl group, or a salt thereof.
 2. The imidazopyridazine compound having a substituted cyclopropane-oxadiazole group or the salt thereof according to claim 1, wherein R¹ is (a3) a (C₁-C₆) alkyl group; (a4) a halo (C₁-C₆) alkyl group; or (a5) a phenyl group, R^(2a) and R^(2b) are (a1) hydrogen atoms, and R³ is (b1) a halo (C₁-C₆) alkyl group.
 3. The imidazopyridazine compound having a substituted cyclopropane-oxadiazole group or the salt thereof according to claim 1, wherein R¹ and R^(2a) are (a1) hydrogen atoms, R^(2b) is (a3) a (C₁-C₆) alkyl group, and R³ is (b1) a halo (C₁-C₆) alkyl group.
 4. An agricultural or horticultural insecticide comprising the imidazopyridazine compound having a substituted cyclopropane-oxadiazole group or the salt thereof according to claim 1 as an active ingredient, and optionally one or more additives.
 5. A method for using an agricultural or horticultural insecticide, comprising treating plants or soil with an effective amount of the imidazopyridazine compound having a substituted cyclopropane-oxadiazole group or the salt thereof according to claim
 1. 6. An animal ectoparasite or endoparasite control agent comprising the imidazopyridazine compound having a substituted cyclopropane-oxadiazole group or the salt thereof according to claim 1 as an active ingredient, and optionally one or more additives.
 7. A method for using an animal ectoparasite or endoparasite control agent, comprising transdermally applying or orally administering an effective amount of the imidazopyridazine compound having a substituted cyclopropane-oxadiazole group or the salt thereof according to claim 1 to an animal. 